Poanglüm Mini Hornbill Festival from today

Preparation underway for ‘Poanglüm,’ the winter festival of Chang community to be held at Loyem Memorial Ground, Tuensang Town.

Tuensang, January 12 (MExN): The Mini Hornbill Festival of the Chang Community will be celebrated under the theme “WAZA” from January 13 to 15.

The term ‘Wa’ is derived from the word ‘Wawa’ which means ‘fun and frolic.’ The ‘Za’ is derived from the word ‘Sasa’ which means ‘Merry Making’ or ‘Being Joyful.’

Under the aegis of Chang Khulei Setshang, the Chang Tribal Council will be celebrating the premiere Chang winter festival “Poanglüm” at Loyem Memorial Ground, Tuensang Town.

As per a press note from media cell, Poanglüm Mini hornbill 2020, Lamshok (Peace Treaty) is an important component of Poanglüm Festival. Often the neighbouring villages would come together for this festive treaty. In conflicts, the villagers invite neutral villagers to act as a mediator and the conflicts were resolved there and then itself, and a new treaty (Lamshok) would be agreed upon. Lamshok was not just confined to conflict solving treaty, but it was mainly a treaty of accepting the neighbouring villages as the same people, the release said.

The ‘Poanglüm’ which is also a Mini Hornbill Festival of the Changs, is a post harvest festival which marks the celebration of self-sufficiency. It is celebrated with traditional folk songs and dances accompanied by trade fair throughout the celebration. The festival itself is a herald to the villagers to begin the usual process of cultivation in purity and newness and be blessed with abundant harvest in the next season.

Yimchunger Cultural Troupe, Sumi Cultural Troupe, Sangtam Cultural Troupe, Khiamniungan Cultural Troupe and the Cultural Troupes of all the Chang villages will participate in the cultural events. The various local bands and artistes such as Naga Incarnate, Saksi Evolution, Chale Kaonyu, Aoyim Sem, Himjan Shanen, Lole Wet are well set for the Musical night. The 3rd edition of Miss Chang Beauty Pageant competition will also be held as part of the event under the theme ‘Thesa’ which will be organized by Changsao Thangjam Setshang.

‘Denseih’ is a Chang word for ‘Entrepreneurship’. During the time of our forefathers, it was mainly during the time of Poanglum that variety of agricultural items (dendena) was brought to the festival for barter. They also bartered bamboo and cane products along with Machete (Dao), spears, spade and other handiwork tools. They would exchange these products for other needful items which otherwise they did not possess.

This event is being sponsored by the Government of Nagaland. It is also an opportunity given to the local people who are not able to witness the Nagaland Hornbill Festival of Kisama.

Tuensang is the only district in Nagaland with four major tribes namely, Chang, Khiamniungan, Sangtam and Yimchunger. 

It is befitting to have a common festival organized in order to affirm and maintain the bond of brotherhood. The Nagas have inherited a rich culture and tradition from the ancestors which has remained hidden from the rest for world for many years; but in recent times the Hornbill festival is playing a major role in showcasing it to the rest of the world. In ancient times it was during this winter season-post harvest that the people of different villages and tribes were able to come together for the celebrations and offer love and peace to everyone.

The Council (CKS) and the Planning committee of Poanglüm, through a press note has invited the presence of all the public of Tuensang Town, all HoDs and Government officials under Tuensang Town, the Tribal leaders, the Village Councils of all the Chang villages, all the Chang Unions of different places and well wishers to be part of the festival.