Hebamlo Mithun Festival at Bamsiakilwa village, Peren district; members of the Bamsiakilwa Mithun Rearing Society receiving a young Nagami mithun from ICAR on Mithun, Medziphema.
Peren, February 6 (MExN): The Bamsiakilwa Mithun Rearing Society organised the first edition of the Hebamlo Mithun Festival at Bamsiakilwa village in Peren district on February 5, marking what organisers described as a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at preserving, conserving and promoting mithun, the state animal of Nagaland.
The festival was held under the theme ‘Our Mithun, our pride’ and brought together mithun farmers and community members to highlight the socio-cultural and economic importance of mithun in Naga society.
Namik, president of the Tening Block Mithun Society, attended the programme as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he spoke on the importance of mithun and its significance in social, cultural and economic life, and encouraged farmers to increase the mithun population. He also urged that every household in the village should have at least one mithun.
Village chairman Pauka spoke on the genesis of the Bamsiakilwa Mithun Rearing Society and said that the number of mithun in the village was approximately 300 and above.
The formal declaration of the festival began with the Battle of Horn (Buipei Kaube), following which mithun farmers of Bamsiakilwa declared the village as a ‘Mithun Village’.
The first edition of the Hebamlo Mithun Festival was organised with support from well-wishers. The programme was chaired by Nambang Pame, while Bamile Pame performed as the guest artist. The welcome address was delivered by Ahungbe Nriame, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Kedirang Pame.
The Bamsiakilwa Mithun Rearing Society also expressed gratitude to ICAR on Mithun, Medziphema, for its support in presenting a young Nagami mithun bull to the society. The society said the support was aimed at promoting genetic improvement and conservation of the Nagami mithun.
