Our Correspondent
Tseminyu | November 27
With much pomp and traditional gaiety, the Rengma community thronged RSA Ground, Tseminyu old town to celebrate Ngada Mini Hornbill Festival 2018 which got underway here today.
Ngada festival is the greatest festival of the Rengmas, which marks the completion of the year and enjoyment of the year’s harvest. It is a festival where the poor and rich share without any distinction, where wrong doings of individuals against each other are forgiven and forgotten.
Day one celebration was marked by Sumi folk dance by Mishilimi village of Zunheboto district, folk song by Tesophenyu Group, cultural presentation by Phenshunyu Lowjvii, Ngada dance by Kasha Daho, traditional fire making display by Kandi Group, Male voice by Hinenlo Kath and friends, sounding of Ngada call by Tseminyu town, pronouncement of Ngada by Jilo Bukh, exhibition stalls and food stalls etc.
Animal husbandry & Veterinary Services and Women Resources Development Advisor R. Khing said that Ngada is a festival of joy, sharing, equality and forgiving. Khing, the chief host of Ngada said that the state government has initiated Mini Hornbill Festivals across the state to promote tribal festivals and to preserve the rich cultural heritage in accordance with the declaration of Nagaland as “Festival of festivals.”
Namri challenges youth to uphold rich traditions
Water Resources Advisor Namri Nchang in his address as Ngada guest said that the Mini Hornbill festival was a brain child of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to promote tribal festivals by involving tribal hohos of all districts in Nagaland.
“One of its aims is to encourage our rich art, culture and traditions which every tribe has been blessed by God uniquely. Ours is a very colourful society with various traditions such as colour of our traditional dresses, dance, food habits and indigenous games and sports,” he said.
If we are united and come together, he said “we as Nagas can go a long way and achieve our dreams and aspirations.”
“As we celebrate Ngada today let us go back to our roots and revisit our traditions because our tradition is our identity. No matter who we are, how much we have and wherever we are in the world but if we lose our tradition we are nobody in the society,” he said adding and encouraged the younger generation to practice their tradition sincerely.
Stating that many of the youths are quick and easy to imitate others but not our own which is so expensive to lose, he challenged the youth to uphold the rich traditions and let others “imitate us because there are important values of life to learn in it.”
Tseminyu is a hotspot for agricultural products: Er Zale
Youth Resources & Sports Er. Zale Nyekha said Tseminyu is a hotspot for agricultural products that sways the market of Kohima.
He appreciated the hard labour put forth by the people of Rengma in producing variety of agricultural products not only for household consumption but exporting it to different districts in Nagaland.
“This culture of struggle and hardwork has paid rich dividends in improving the economy of the community at large,” he said and further challenged other Naga tribes to learn the traits of the Rengma community.
“As we honour the traditions of our forefathers and celebrate Ngada Festival, may this celebration bring forth peace and prosperity in the land of Rengmas. May we aspire to become responsible citizens and give ourselves a new hope for a better future,” Er Zale added.
Meanwhile, Ngada guests for day two on November 28 will be Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire, Advisor Rural Development and Mmhonlumo Kikon, Advisor IT, Science & Technology and NRE. The celebration is being held under the aegis of Rengma frontal organizations in collaboration with the state government.
