MON, April 3 (DIPR): Angau I Thou, IAS Deputy Commissioner Mon graced the cerebration of the Aoleang festival as the chief guest at Local Football Ground, Mon on April 3. Aoleang festival is the main festival of the Konyaks. It is also known as the spring festival and is observed right after seeds are sown in the news fields to seek bountiful harvest from the Almighty God. The celebration program was organized by the Konyak Union (KU).
Hundreds of people gathered at the local football ground to witness and to take part in the celebration. The festival was observed with much pomp and fervor with various cultural troupes dressed in colourful traditional attire singing, dancing and merry making. The celebration venue was filled with the sounds of the muscle loading guns, beating of the Gongs and Log drum, etc.
Lauding the Konyak for working as a team in all matters, The Deputy Commissioner said that although Mon district, known as the ‘land of Anghs’ where people were suppose to be ruled by the Monarch, has the distinct culture of taking opinion of the mass is sought, before any decision is made.
Lamenting that Mon district has the lowest literacy rate with highest gender disparity in terms of education, she appealed to the gathering to consider the efforts of the NGOs comprised of the KU, KNSK & KSU and the Government officials to impart quality education and raise the literacy rate of the district. She also appealed to the youths to strive hard and take ‘one more step forward’ to make a difference with others.
Briefing on the significance of the Aoleang festival, she appealed to the people to adhere to the good old age customs of the Aoleang and also to preserve the rich culture and traditions of the Konyaks.
Earlier the program was chaired by Hosea, General Secretary of Konyak Union. Invocation was proposed by M. Chemyuh, Executive Secretary, KBBB, while welcome address was pronounced by S Manlip Chohwanglim, President, Konyak Union, and, Significance of Aoleang was said by A Shangkem, Member, K U Advisory Board.
The highlights of the day long celebration were cultural dance by Wakching area union, Longkei union, Chen union, Totok Union, Longwa Union, Hongphoi union, Shang Union, Sheanghah Union, Mon Union, Tobu area Union, Aboi area Union, Chi Union, Tizit area Union, Tang Union, Leangha Union and Moka Union.
