DIPR
DIMAPUR, MAY 1
MOATSU, the premier festival of the Ao community, was celebrated in Mokokchung today.
Coinciding with the Moatsu festival, the National Level Folk Dance & Music Festival on “Discover North East” being organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) and Mokokchung District Art & Culture Council (MDACC) and Mokokchunwg district administration is also being held from May 1 to 3, where artistes from different parts of the country are participating.Delivering the welcome speech, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung Murohu Chotso thanked the Dancing troupe from outside the State for participating in the celebration of Moatsu festival.
Acknowledging the initiatives taken by the NEZCC in organizing the festival, the Deputy Commissioner said such an event gives an opportunity to share different culture and to promote brotherhood among the community.
Ao Senden president Dr Sangyu Yaden, who delivered the Moatsu greetings, maintained that culture is the backbone of any existing society, saying that it helps to realize and understand what we are, who we are and what we want to be. Sangyu also said for the Nagas it is culture that brings people together and gives hope for posterity.
NEZCC Director Lipokmar Tsudir, in his speech, thanked the MDACC and the Mokokchung district administration for their participation and efforts made in organizing the festival. He also said ‘for too long we have failed in understanding our rich culture’ and called upon the youth to wake up and realize the opportunity ahead of them by upholding the rich culture.
Other highlights of the programme included cultural items by Longsa Cultural Club and Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) while cultural dances were presented by United Suyim Club, Ungma, Sumi Settsu, Sangtam Union Mokokchung, Chang Union Mokokchung and Zeliang folk song by Zeliang community Mokokchung. The three-day festival will feature Fusion Concert on May 2 and National Cultural Show on May 3 at Imkongmeren Sports Complex.
