[dropcap]N[/dropcap]agaland is called “Land of festivals” and true to its name, the Govt. of Nagaland has so generously recognized our festival “Chavang Kut” and declared November 1 of every year a restricted holiday by an order Dated the 6th Feb 2014. We express our sincere gratitude to govt. of Nagaland
Chavang Kut can be translated as the autumn festival. It means the festival that is in the autumn season. It is also called post harvesting festival. Unlike the present day’s wet- land terrace cultivation, our forefathers had practiced only jhum cultivation. This jhumland crops are usually harvested during the month of November. With all the grains gathered and store up, the villagers find a respite from their long tedious hard labour to enjoy this festival.The origin of Kut festival is obscure. One theory was that in olden days there was a couple who were madly in love. Eventually they got married. But within a short period the wife died of illness. The husband was so grief-stricken that he cried day and night. In that stupor state he visited the land of death. There he found his wife so frail and weak. On seeing her husband, the wife sent him back to their home to bring food. The husband came and collected as many as food possible and went back. The wife ate the food to her heart contend and was recovered. On coming home, the man told his adventure to the villagers. They believed him. Concerned for the souls of their departed relatives they brought food items to the village priest which he sent it to the land of the death by performing rituals. This legend is particularly related to the Mimkut festival. That is why it is sometimes called “The festival of weeping”.
Another plausible theory is that once, while in Kabaw valley, somewhere in Myanmar, our forefathers were inflicted with severe famine for three long years. During that period they suffered untold hardships. However, on the fourth year, they were blessed with bountiful harvest. The village chief was so overjoyed that he prepared a grand feast which lasted for many days. Every year, this festival is organised which eventually came to be known as Kut.
The usual order of Kut festival was that when everyone was gathered bringing with them their homemade rice-beer the priest performed rituals, thanking the gods for bountiful harvest and invoking his blessing for the next season. After that it was drinking and merry making all rounds. They sing and dance to the beating of drums and animals horn. The youngsters compete in all sorts of traditional games. It was indeed a day of extreme joy and happiness and always a memorable one.
Today, with the advent of Christianity, and the western culture engulfing us, preserving one’s culture in considered irrelevant and rather uncalled for. Our life is no longer confined in village alone. We have now exposed ourselves in towns and cities to mingle with other nations o f the world. As a result our culture is slowly dying and forgotten. This jeopardized our social fabrics which bind us together in having common culture and linguistic affinity among the different ethnic group within the Kuki sub-tribes.
With a view to rekindling the feeling of oneness and preserving our identity and culture this Kut festival is revived. The Chin-Kuki-Mizo of Manipur had their first Chavang Kut festival in the year 1979. The Kukis of Assam followed in the year 1988. Here in Nagaland, today is the first ever Chavang Kut festival we celebrate in our Homeland.
Jangkhochon Hangsing
Medziphema Town
