WSH President Shikaho Zhimomi releasing the 2nd Sümi Küzüvüle Kukuxu music album at Hotel Saramati on January 22.
2nd Sümi Küzüvüle Kukuxu album released
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 22
Music is considered as a way of communicating observations and experiences about the world. For most indigenous cultures like the Nagas who have lived within their traditional territories for generations, music is a repository of ecological knowledge, with songs embedding ancestors’ knowledge, teachings and wisdom as well as a myriad range of emotions. At the same time, there has been a notable a loss of songs as well as usage of indigenous languages brought on by rapid ‘westernisation’ and changes in the way of life.
It is in this context that a group of like-minded individuals calling themselves the Sümi Alokümüsümi Mqo (SAM), conceptualised the ‘Sümi Küzüvüle Kukuxu (Sümi Love Song Competition)’ in 2019 to revive the dying tradition among the Sümi community. The competition begins with an audition process and gradually moves on to live rounds wherein the winners receive the opportunity to record a collaborative album for free.
On Saturday, the group released the 2nd edition of the Sümi Küzüvüle Kukuxu music album comprising original songs written and performed in the indigenous Sümi language. The artists were selected through a competition conducted in November 2021 and include a few ‘wild cards.’
Releasing the album at the Hotel Saramati in Dimapur, the President of Western Sümi Hoho Shikaho Zhimomi lauded the SAM for reviving the disappearing art form. Noting that the Sümis who were once well-known for their proficiency in churning out love songs have gradually forgotten the art, Zhimomi hoped that the SAM’s initiative would go on to encourage the not just the Sümis but also the other communities to revisit the old culture of songs and inspire them to continue the tradition.
He also encouraged the SAM to bring a ‘revival’ not only songs but also in other spheres of life. In this connection, he pointed out that many good qualities and traditional practices among the Sümis and the Nagas in general have been lost in the passage of time and expressed hope that the SAM would take their initiative forward and bring about change in the Naga society.
Similarly, SAM advisor and NSCN (R) president Akato Chophi dwelt on the importance of staying connected to one’s roots and identity. While the realm of competition may appear to cover only love songs, he observed that it was way of ensuring the continuity of the Sümi language. Chophi encouraged the SAM for coming up with the initiative, stating that it would benefit not just the artistes and the group but the rest of the community as well.
Earlier in the programme which was chaired by SAM Finance Committee member Kenneth Aye, SAM Convenor Akai Assumi delivered the welcome address while SAM Advisor Kakugha S Rotokha highlighted on the formation of SAM and its objectives. Vote of thanks was delivered by Department of Land Resources Registrar and SAM Advisor Botovi Chishi who encouraged the artistes to take pride in their work and also use the platform to move ahead in their musical careers.
The programme closed with Woman Pastor of NCRC Padumpukhri Kivili Sheqi Assumi pronouncing the benediction.
The SAM informed that any person interested in buying the album can do so by contacting the following numbers: 9862174433/7005786471.
