Mongmong festival celebrated in Mon

Dimapur, September 4 (DIPR): The Sangtams of Mon celebrated Mongmong festival at the official resident of N. Sangtam, Superintendent of Police, Mon today.
Greeting the Sangtam community on the occasion of Mongmong festival, the Deputy Commissioner, Mon Angau I Thou said the people of Sangtam celebrate Mongmong festival to invoke God’s blessing for bountiful harvest after the villagers toiled through out the whole year. She said invoking God’s blessing is found in every festival of the Nagas, which means that our fore father has good faith in the Almighty God and urged upon the gathering to follow the good footsteps of our fore fathers by seeking the blessings of Jesus Christ in the Christian era.   
Citing that Mongmong also means to extend bond and sharing with others, the DC urged to make the festival as an instrument of peace by reviewing and strengthening cordial relationship with others. Citing ‘Peace is the prerequisite for development, and without peace there would be no unity and development in the society’ she exhorted the gathering to spread the message of peace to the people to pave way for unity and development of the district.    
Praising the cultural dances she said the Sangtams have very lively and energetic dances, and because of which they have been selected to perform in the national levels in many occasions. Referring to the dying art form of the Nagas she said, it is our responsibility to teach the youngster about the rich culture and traditions of the Nagas to preserve it.  
Wangpai Konyak,  vice president of the Konyak Union (KU) in his Mongmong festival greetings also urged to preserve the cultural identity of the Nagas. He also urged the Sangtam community to strengthen the age old good relationship with the people of Konyaks and other Nagas while celebrating the festival.
Earlier, S.P. Mon Mr. N. Sangtam briefed about the significant of Mongmong festival. He said Mongmong festival is the most important festival of the Sangtam Naga and it is celebrated in the 1st week of September annually to seek the blessing of the Almighty. Principal ITI, Er. Alongse Sangtam proposed the welcome address while vote of thanks was pronounced by Thsapong Ex-President. Invocation was done by Yongrichum, Pastor (SBCM), while Benediction was proposed by Tsarila, Associate Pastor (Women). The celebration was marked with cultural dances by male and female groups, and Mongmong feast.