United Soyim Club emerged as winners of the Kongshir Folk Dance Competition during the 40th Longtrok Senden Ungma Cultural Showcase held at Yimtsungta Arok Sabang, Ungma on July 31. (Morung Photo)
United Soyim Club wins Kongshir folk dance competition
Morung Express News
Ungma | August 1
The 40th edition of the Longtrok Senden Ungma, Sobaliba Sayu Sentong (Cultural Showcase), was held at Yimtsungta Arok Sabang, Ungma village on Thursday evening. The event featured the Kongshir folk dance competition, where ten cultural clubs from Ungma displayed performances rooted in Ao Naga heritage.
The competition saw United Soyim Club emerge as the winner, followed by Oriental Club in second place. Other participating groups included Longtrok Senden Ungma, Salukum Rogo Ungma, Tongpu Pur, Nentang Rogo, Evergreen Club, Season Star Club, and Young Naga Club.
The event was graced by Imti Imsong, Additional Advocate General of Nagaland, as the Chief Guest. In his address, Imsong commended the Longtrok Senden for sustaining the cultural event for four decades. Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, he stated, “Forty years is a long time—this is a testament to the perseverance and unity of our community.” He urged the community to continue fostering discipline and to adapt while preserving culture in order to stay relevant in a fast-evolving world.
He also encouraged expanding cultural expressions beyond traditional song and dance, proposing innovative ideas such as folk mimes and cultural ballads to depict stories and conserve the environment through performance. “Let us think of ways to reform and reaffirm our cultural practices—so that we translate our traditions in forms the world can understand,” he said.
Dr Prashanna Gogoi, Director of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, attended as the Guest of Honour. In his speech, he lauded Ungma’s efforts in preserving its traditions and noted that culture is a true measure of a society’s development. “If we lose our traditions, we lose our identity,” he said, commending the participation of children and youth as a hopeful sign for continuity.
Dr Gogoi also proposed the selection of the best performing team from the event to represent the region at national cultural festivals through NEZCC. He highlighted opportunities for scholarships and awards offered by the Ministry of Culture, such as those under the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), to support young artists from grassroots communities.
While appreciating the efforts of cultural mentors and performers, Dr Gogoi further proposed the idea of hosting a multi-community Harvest Festival in Ungma, similar to the Hornbill Festival, to foster inter-community unity under the theme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Several individuals were also felicitated for their achievements during the event, Tiawapangla for clearing the NPSC examination for Assistant Professor; Tiasoba Longkumer for qualifying as LDA-cum-Computer Assistant through NSSB and Rogomen Longkumer for securing 2nd rank in BA (Sociology) and topping the subject at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung.
The programme also featured a special presentation by the Kirat Parivar, Mokokchung.
