100-year log drum finds a home in state museum

[caption id="attachment_139060" align="alignleft" width="550"] People seen trying their hand at the newly-dedicated logdrum donated to the department of Art & Culture at Kohima on September 15.[/caption] Our Correspondent Kohima, Sep. 15 (EMN): Adding to its antique collection of artefacts, the Department of Art & Culture received a hundred-year old 28 feet long log drum carved in 1920 from Hongkhong Morung Longchang village in Mon district. The logdrum was formally handed over today by the parliamentary secretary of Art & Culture, Handloom and Handicraft, E Eshak Hessum, at the department’s office premises. Highlighting on the significance and importance of logdrums to the Nagas culture, which are used on various occasions like birth, death, festivals and used as alarms etc, Hessum said this souvenir from the past will be an attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. Though a small department, he said Art & Culture is an integral part of the society which offers comprehensive information related to the cultural heritage of the Nagas. He also maintained that the department is in need of extension, renovation and upgrade. Besides others, Hessum informed that talks are on for the extension of the Second World War Museum at the Heritage, Kisama. He also expressed hope that the logdrum would be a treasured possession of the department. He also unveiled the monolith constructed highlighting the significance of the origin of the logdrum. Curator, Shingato Rengma, while appreciating the parliamentary secretary for his generous contribution, said this masterpiece artefact logdrum will remain with the department museum forever. A dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. Sankilama Kikon, Associate Pastor of Kohima Lotha Baptist Church.