EMN
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 7
The Mao community of Nagaland celebrated Chüthuni festival, the premier festival of Mao Naga on Wednesday at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School ground. The celebration, organized by Mao Hoho Nagaland and hosted by Dimapur Mao Hoho, was graced by Dr. Adaho, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Nagaland Police as the guest of honour. People from all walks of life, including prominent citizens, women and student and village leaders of the community participated in the day long celebration.Chiithuni festival is the celebration of human life created by God of gods on the first day of the first month of the year. In this way Chiithuni is called the New Year festival of the Maos as it falls in the first month of the Mao Lunar Calendar.
Rev.Fr. Dr. Salew Peter speaking on the significance of Chiithuni said it is also known as the post-harvest festival lasting for six days because it is celebrated after the crops (paddy) are safely brought home and preserved in barns. The true spirit, uniqueness and upper most values of the Chiithuni festival are thanksgiving to the God of gods for the gift of life, health and wealth, a sense of unity, equality and brotherhood and spiritual closeness to God that make up a happy and fulfilled life. Chiithuni festival also entails a lot of sacrificial rituals, physical and spiritual purifications. In short, Chiithuni leads people spiritually close to God.
In the real of social life, he added, Chiithuni plays a vital unifying role with a lot of sharing and friendliness and the true spirit of Chiithuni amply points to the ‘egalitarian’ nature of the Mao tribal community.
During the festival, due recognition is also accorded for sportsmanship and athleticism, singing and musical prowess. Respect for elders is shown for their experience, authority and wisdom and for this reason, their blessings are highly solicited and their wise advice are willingly accepted.
Thus, Chiithuni recapitulates the Mao concept of good life within the larger context of the ‘Mao worldview’ which is holistic conception of the human, a well-balanced combination of mind, body, will emotions and spirit he added.
Various cultural items like folk songs, cultural dance, javelin throw, tug-of-war etc marked the occasion.
Earlier the welcome address was delivered by A.Daili, President, MHA, cultural dance was presented by Kohima youth, special number by Jalukie Mao women while the voted of thanks was proposed by K.Ela, Assistant General Secretary, MHN.
