Correspondent
VISWEMA, DECEMBER 2
IT was a momentous occasion as the traditional stone pulling ceremony of the Angami tribe was organised by Viswema Students’ Union (VSU) in collaboration with the department of Tourism at Viswema, National Highway-29 today some 22 km away from State capital Kohima. The ceremony which is first of its kind in the recent past was held in commemoration of the golden jubilee celebrations of VSU and also Nagaland Statehood coinciding with the Hornbill Festival.
Hundreds and thousands of people, both young and old, men and women attired in traditional dress took part in the ceremony which commenced from Viswema village junction and concluded above John Government High School, Viswema on the NH-29.
It was the females from the village walking leading serenely carrying the Naga basket with nourishments for the stone pullers and some with local rice beer. Some of the men folks were also firing gun shots in the air while the herd of stone pullers moved synchronized chanting of traditional tune and also yodeling throughout the stretch of the NH-29 about 3 kms, which was also blocked for almost 3 and half hours to facilitate the ceremony.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Paban Singh Ghatowar, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, Chief Executive, Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo, Brigadier David Allfrey galaxy of ministers and parliamentary secretaries also joined in the traditional stone pulling.
A good number of tourists were also present to witness the rarest occasion.
The stone pulling ceremony was organised with a view to preserve and display the tradition, custom and culture of Viswema which is one of the oldest villages amongst the Tenyimi community.
The stone pulling began after the invocation pronounced by Khapikhrü Khrieo and ritual performances by the village elders.
Finally arriving at the spot above John GHS after almost 3 hours, the organizers formally fired 50 gun shots in honour of the jubilation.
The ceremony concluded with singing of victory songs and also community feast.
