Culture: The Need for Dissemination and Preservation, with Special Reference to Moatsu Mong

Culture refers to shared knowledge, beliefs, values and attitudes amongst a group of people. Culture is a symbol of communication and imitation from one generation of the next. It is also the practice on a daily basis.

Nagasare known for their diversified culture and unique identity. Moatsu Mong festival is celebrated by the Ao Naga tribe of Nagaland, India. Moatsu is celebrated in the first week of Mayafter the sowing of paddy. The principal aim of the festival is to invoke the Almighty God’sblessings afterthe completion of diverse agriculturalactivities. The festival provides a weeklong period of recreation and entertainment after the stressful work of clearing fields, burning jungles, sowing seeds, cleaning up the tsübu (wells), repairing and construction of houses. Upon the completion of these manifold activities, the celebration of Moatsu Mong takes place. It is marked with lively folk songs, dances, merrymaking, wearing of beautiful traditional attires and expression of propitiation to the supreme God for the crops to grow well and to receive a bountiful harvest.

There is a paradigm shift in the cultural practices after the advent of modernization, westernization and globalization. The AoNagashave come a long way from the time of their forefathers to the present-day lifestyles. Practices have been passed down from generation to generation and in due course of time have also undergone acculturation and assimilation with different cultures. Presently, the numbers of farmers have reduced to a great extent due to factors such as changing aspirations, lifestyles and rural to urban migration. The challenges facing tradition and culture is mostly seen in the negligence or lack of interest of the youth in learning folk songs, folk dance and folklores. This negligence may grow to be a serious concern in negatively impacting traditional cultures and ethnic heritage. It is important to recognize the threat and proactively work towards preserving cultural and traditional practices

Imnayangla Jamir and Likoklemba A Jamir
MSW 4th Semester,
North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR)