Ao community celebrates Moatsu with traditional fervor

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 3

Moatsü, the premier festival of the Aos was celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety today at Highland Park, Kohima, organized by Merangkong Senso Telongjem Kohima (MSTK). The festival was marked by songs and dances.
Gracing the celebration, T Amenba Yaden, Parliamentary Secretary of Industries and Commerce, gave a brief highlight of Moatsü festival where he said that traditionally Moatsü festival is celebrated usually from March till May.
Also releasing a book titled ‘Merangkong Moatsü Mong’ compiled and written by MSTK, he said the calendars of events are summed up for the knowledge of the future and present generation. Stating that the younger generations do not have the knowledge about the traditions and customs involved in the festival as they have not seen the activities from day one to sixth day, he maintained that many stories learnt from words of mouth are not put into practice. He, therefore, expressed hope that the book would enlighten and benefit the readers.
Welcoming the people, Dr. Moanungsang, president of Merangkong Senso Telongjem, Kohima, said during the time of the forefathers worshipping the god Lichaba, Moatsü was celebrated with the intention of invoking the blessing of the gods in the fields that had just been sown. However, he said that with the advent of Christianity, all celebration associated with the olden ways were considered evil, which was the reason why a lot of young people knew very little about traditions and customs. Also asserting that ‘our cultures and traditions define us and that they are not necessarily evil,’ he said we still need to ask the living God for His blessings in all our works. ‘Let us celebrate Moatsü by asking our Lord Jesus Christ for his blessings. Let all our dances and our songs be our way of celebrating the true God,’ added Dr. Moanungsang.
He also called upon to take the opportunity to ‘re-affirm and confirm how lucky we are to be amongst each other, next to each other and be part of each others lives’.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings by Tsürapur S Yaren and exhortations by various organizations from Dimapur, Tuli and Kohima. The programme was followed by Moatsü feast.
The programme saw the attendance of Er Levi Rengma, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, YM Yollow Konyak, CAWD and host of officers.
In a related programme, Mopungchuket Senso Telongjem Mokokchung celebrated Moatsü today at the town hall with Mongsenyimti and Merangkong Senso unions of Mokokchung as Moatsü guests. Elders from the three villages exchanged Moatsü tidings to each other as part of the celebration and encouraged the youngsters of the three villages to uphold the unity shared among the three unions.
An in-law of Mopungchuket, T Imtiwapang Aier, ADC Mangkolemba, exhorted the gathering and appreciated the hosts for organizing the festival in a unique manner. Apart from preserving one’s culture, he said preserving the natural ecology was equally important.
Ao Temolungtsür Telongjem Mokokchung presented a special ‘Elangtsür’ folk song, while MALT Mokokchung presented a ‘Moatsü Naklu’ song. Significance of Moatsü was narrated by M Akang Ozüküm.
Cultural troupes from Mopungchuket, Mongsenyimti and Merangkong union presented folk dances, while Mopungchuket Reongsanger Putu performed a ‘Kimak Ken.’ Tazülenden Cultural Society Mopungchuket also presented a special folk dance.
Another special highlight of the day’s celebration was ‘Yi Tsüngden,’ where youngsters were grouped into their respective ‘Zünga’ age groups as practiced by Ao forefathers which was followed by a mass Moatsü feast.