Dimapur, Dec. 9 (EMN): The 9th day of the Hornbill Festival at Kisama in Kohima was hosted by the minister for Agriculture & Cooperation G Kaito Aye, and advisor for Social Welfare, Noke Konyak, on Dec. 9. The chief guest for the programme was General Officer Commanding 3 Corps, Lieutenant General Gopal R.
Neiphiu Rio will be attending the last day of the festival. He will be attending the afternoon session on Dec. 10 at the Kisama as the chief guest. After it, the closing ceremony for the 2018 edition of the festival will be conducted.
According to an official from the department of Art and Culture, the ceremony will be conducted with all the 17 cultural troupes performing a ‘unity dance’ during which they all will walk hand in hand in the main arena, and around a fire lit in the middle.
Besides the chief minister, the members of the legislative assembly and the chief guest of the morning session Damiano Francovigh, the Italian Consul General at Kolkata are expected to attend
the closing ceremony.
The day’s activities on Sunday began with the Chang cultural troupe from Noksen village enacting ‘Koku Jambü’ or declaration of winter season feasting. This was followed by a children folk dance performed by a Rengma cultural troupe.
Another highlight was a Chakhesang cultural troupe portraying ‘Chüse Ketsü’ or mass cursing. ‘Traditionally, all villagers from upper and lower khel would gather at the public meeting place and curse those indulging in illegal activities like witchcraft, robbery, land encroachment, rape, murder etc.,’ additional inputs from the DIPR informed.
Further, a Yimchunger group also sang a folk song called Sangkung Thokhi Khündang, using a bamboo mouth organ. A Phom troupe demonstrated Vangnyukpu, a ritual which is carried out to relieve the land and its dwellers from drought.
Further, a Kuki troupe from Phangjang village performed a dance called Sagol Kengkhai, which is patterned on the movement of group of boars. This dance is performed with the blowing of wind instruments Theipit, drums and gongs.
Likewise, a Konyak cultural troupe demonstrated Phoa Angoi Bu Tsai, or top spinning. The game is played when an old field is being abandoned for a new one; singing songs to the old field. An Ao cultural troupe danced an imitation of a fight between two roosters. A folk song called Luyu Thsak Khi was performed by a Sangtam cultural troupe during the event.
Again, a Khiamnuingan cultural troupe performed Shangleh, a folk song sung during festive gatherings.
A Garo cultural troupe then played an indigenous game called Wapong kala, which is played between two players who sit facing each other while grasping a bamboo pole.
A Kachari cultural troupe then performed a dance called Bai Bin or Suphen, which is performed during post harvest festivals of Bishu. A Pochury troupe performed Ha Hye, a dance that is performed during the feast of merit, which the community’s lore believes enhances the prestige and social status of the host.
Further, a Lotha troupe demonstrated omi elha, or fire making. An Angami troupe then sang a song using on Tati/Lubo, a stringed instrument.
Further, a Zeliang cultural troupe performed Chingda Be Lim, a courtship dance which is usually performed by unmarried men and women of the village seeking prospective life partners. A Sumi cultural troupe performed a folk song called Le jo le, which tells the story of their rich cultural heritage that has been passed down to the generations.
