Students being introduced to craft making at the Cultural Day observed at Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary School. (Morung Photo)
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | June 29
One of the most important things a student will ever learn is about ‘diversity’ and it is with this notion of celebrating the broad cultural diversity in the school that Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary School has been observing ‘Cultural Day’ for a few years now. For students to grow up respecting each other’s culture and to celebrate uniqueness, the school has conceptualized this novel initiative by setting a day apart where they are engaged in a variety of traditional activities and are also exposed to different cultures of various tribes and communities in the school campus.
When we think of our forefathers, Dziesekhrienuo Yaotsu, Convener of the Cultural Day expressed that they have a closely knitted relationship and socialized through various indigenous games and gatherings. “Our main objective is to embrace our roots, the unity and that sense of connection and respect that our forefathers had, and also celebrate diversity not only in culture but diversity in abilities and potentials as well and respect each other’s uniqueness”, she further said.
This year’s edition which took place on June 18 saw a range of activities such as pounding of paddy and winnowing, local cuisine competition, war cry competition, catapult shooting, spinning of top, wooden cart race, bamboo stilt walking race, tug of war, and corn doll making. While in the past few years, the event comprised of more formal programmes like exhibition of traditional wear through fashion shows representing every tribe, folk songs and folk dances, this year’s cultural day was taken outdoors garnering much enthusiasm from students, teachers and parents alike.
Impressed by the whole concept, many well-wishers have also contributed in the form of sponsoring the prizes for the various indigenous games competition. Keneikhrietuo, a class 12 student said it was like revisiting his childhood getting to play the indigenous games he remembers playing in his childhood days. He was moreover excited learning the traditional ways of pounding paddy and winnowing.
Kevilhoubeinuo, a class-6 student said “we enjoyed tasting all the varieties of delicious food from different cultures.” Mention may be made here that for the local cuisine competition, 3 members representing each tribe/different cultural groups in the school consisting of Angami, Nepali, Chakhesang, Konyak, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Manipuri, Kachari, Zeliang, Lotha, Khiamniungan, Ao and Yimchunger prepared their own delicacies as part of the Cultural Day.
Receiving much appreciation from the parents as well, one of them said, “it was educative for the students as tradition and culture which we practiced before- some of which have been forgotten-were being displayed through various games and activities.” Another parent had noted that “the primary students’ takeaway lunch, packed in leaves was an exciting and a new thing for our children.”
