Nagaland celebrates Tribal Festival after 8 years; legislator laments fading of Naga culture

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 26 (EMN): The Advisor of Art and Culture and Tourism, H Khehovi Yepthomi, on Wednesday, said preserving Naga culture is the responsibility of all and should be one’s way of life in order to protect it for the future generation.

The advisor was addressing the ‘Tribal Festival’ organised by the department of Art and Culture in Kohima.

Yepthomi lamented that the Naga culture is ‘slowly fading’ and warned of losing one’s identity if the trend continues.

Maintaining that culture is practical and not learned through books, he called upon the elderly to teach the younger generation the culture and traditions of one’s community in order to preserve and pass it on to the next generation.

Meanwhile, he said the festival is the first of its kind where participants from Naga tribes are taking part in the department-organised event, besides the Hornbill Festival.

‘This shows that tribes are concerned about the culture,’ he said while thanking the participants. 

Director of Art and Culture, Adela Moa, said the Tribal Festival is a significant day as it has been celebrated after a gap of about 8 years.

She informed that the department organised the festival at the district cultural hall offices in 10 district headquarters.

Secretary of Art and Culture, Athel O Lotha, shared that the primary objective of the department of Art and Culture is to preserve, promote, and propagate all forms of culture and arts. She expressed hope that this type of festival will help revive the rich culture of the Nagas.

A total of 15 tribes — Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, and Zeliang — participated in the festival. 

Recipient of Governor’s Award (Music) 2021, Sunep Lemtur, enthralled the audience with his songs.