TR Zeliang addressing the gathering during the Nsim Ngi celebration on October 31.
Jalukie, November 1 (MExN): The Nzaunalui Union Jalukie Valley celebrated ‘Nsim Ngi’ festival on October 30 at Jalukie Pungchi with MLA and former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang as special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, TR Zeliang congratulated Nzaunalui Union Jalukie Valley for taking the initiative in organising the ‘Nsim Ngi’ Festival. He also acknowledged the people of Nzauna for being traditionally enlightened and having a deep sense of responsibility towards the society, in spite of the physical and economical challenges of being located in the Southern most part of the state bordering to Assam and Manipur, a DIPR report stated on Monday.
Zeliang also briefly highlighted the uniqueness of Zeliangrong traditional attires, ornaments, and the Hornbill and Amur Falcon dance, the DIPR stated.
Stating that religion and traditional practices should not be misunderstood as one, TR Zeliang encouraged the gathering to be wise and choose positive aspects of traditional practices.
Dr Tumda Newme, in his short speech, stressed on preservation of culture and tradition stating it is their identity. He also emphasized on the importance of Zeliangrong dances and songs which is conceptualized in the beauty of the nature, the DIPR report stated.
According to the report, Nsim Ngi festival is one of the most popular Zeme festivals, celebrated with great pomp and gaiety usually during the last part of October and early November. It is called so because during this festival, menfolk from both Upper and Lower Morungs would clean up the big and long stretches of village footpaths with spade directing towards the jhum fields. In Zeme, this is called, ‘Kepheu Pualu Lamdi Simbe,’ the DIPR report stated.
It is also a festival of rekindling of the living relationships between parents and married daughters or sons, between families of sisters and brothers and also between families of married nieces and the chosen maternal uncle’s family, it added.
The programme was hosted by R Andrew Disong and Kidwayile Disong, and began with a special number presented by Nangkamlak Pame, while welcome address was delivered by Haipham Pame, chairperson of Nzaunalui Union Jalukie Valley. The vote of thanks was delivered Shilu, Vice Chairman, NUJV.
The celebration witnessed various cultural dances like Herie lim (Hornbill Dance) and Awai Lim (Amur Falcon Dance) performed by NUJV. Apart from cultural dances the gathering were enthralled with the play of Nra Zube (Single string Violin) and Ntiam Mmutbe (Flute) performed by Haiguateung Newme and Dirua Disuang, the DIPR reported.
