Elders and guests from Kohima and Kigwema village during the inauguration of Tsütuo Nialhou Badze at Kigwema Village on May 4. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | May 4
In a bid to keep the significance of ancestral footprints alive, Tsütuo Nialhou Badze was inaugurated in Kigwema village, under Kohima district on May 4.
Speaking on the occasion, Kohima Village Council, Chairman Helievi-o Solo expressed that bringing up monuments with significance to the past builds heritage for the present and future generation, and help in tracing one’s roots and lineages better.
In today’s context, Solo underscored, ‘it is only through good relationships that one person gives away his precious land or water resources, and these treasures were not a match of wealth.’ In this regard, the Chairman said such precious land given by the landowner is not just for the Tsütuonoumia Khel but the Kohima village in general.
“From here on, it paves us a way to share and promote peace and understanding among the people,” he said adding, ‘it was the duty and responsibility of not only the leaders but every individual to take care and utilize the space with utmost regard.’
The Chairman hoped that sharing this kind of heritage will encourage the people to learn more about their histories and oral narratives deeper and help in tracing one’s roots better. “These monuments help us go to the depth of our multi lineages and shows us how we lived in the past and how we are living presently,” he said.
He also spoke on the need to conserve and preserve land and its utility while underscoring that in the last few years, the impact of climate change has been very evident even in our region. ‘The off-shot of climate change is due to lack of protection of our environment which includes our forests, flora and fauna and decreasing day after day,’ he observed.
Solo also mentioned the need to record our stories-be it the past or present and urged all to record and document stories for posterity.
Kigwema Village Council, Chairman, Balie Kere praised Kohima village for having far sight and wisdom. He welcomed Kohima villagers to come and visit Kigwema village often and share friendships for the posterity of the relationships among villages.
Advisor, Tsütuonuomia Khel Council, Vikuolie Zatsu exhorted the gathering. Speaking about Tsütuo, the ancestor of Tsütuonuomia Khel, he said their ancestor, Tsütuo walked and came to this place to take sun bath and rest. The ancestor came to this place because from morning till dawn, one could enjoy the warmth of the sun. Similarly, in another village, Kiruphema where the ancestor loved exploring, he would also go there to rest and sunbath.
Tsütuonuomia Khel Council, Chairman K Neibou Sekhose delivered the welcome address and spoke about how the initiative was undertaken. As a mark of significance, the Tsütuonuomia Khel Council erected a stone resting place in Kigwema and Kiruphema also. Earlier the unfurling of Tsütuonuomia Flag was done by Viu Belho, Advisor, Tsütuonuomia Khel Council and Avibu Belho presented a song titled Tsütuonuomia.
