Nagaland: Sangtam community celebrates ‘Mongmong’ festival

Dimapur, Sep. 2 (EMN): The Sangtam community in Kiphire district celebrated the ‘Mongmong’ festival at the Kiphire local ground on September 2. The celebration was hosted by United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) with the NLA deputy speaker, T Yangseo Sangtam, as the special guest.

A DIPR report stated that Sangtam tribe observes about 12 festivals spread all through a calendar year with feasting, dance and music built around the community life of the people. Being one of the most important festivals of the Sangtam community, Mongmong festival which means ‘togetherness forever’ is observed in the first week of September every year which stretches over six days. The main objective was to have a good harvest, food grains, for which the villagers toil throughout the year.

Speaking on the occasion, NLA deputy speaker, T Yangseo Sangtam, encouraged the community to be more realistic, vibrant, broad minded and lead towards preserving the tradition and rich culture with sense of peace and love. He called on the community to eradicate all the ‘evils and isms’ and come forward with oneness to achieve socioeconomic and political developments. He acknowledged the presence of all the tribal leaders at the festival and named Kiphire as ‘mini- Nagaland’ where multi-tribes live in peace and harmony.

The deputy commissioner of Kiphire, T Wati Aier, expressed hoped the bond would get stronger between the four tribes in Kiphire district and usher in unity among all the Nagas. He spoke on the significance of the festival and preservation of the cultures, dances, languages, songs and traditional way of life through the celebration.

The DC further advocated inculcating discipline and hard work in their lifestyle and to follow government orders to maintain a civilised society.

Special folk dances were presented by the cultural troupes from different villages.

Organisations convey festive greetings

Dimapur, Sep. 2 (EMN): Nagaland deputy chief minister, Y Patton, and other political parties and organisations have extended Mongmong greetings to the Sangtam community.

The deputy chief minister, in his greetings, stated that Mongmong is a festival associated with harvest and other significant rituals. Stating that Mongmong itself means “togetherness forever,” Patton expressed hoped that the festival would be celebrated “living up to its meaning.”

In another statement, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Nagaland unit has greeted the Sangtam community on the occasion of Mongmong festival. It wished that the festival would bring prosperity, good health and happiness to all.

Meanwhile, the Akato Chophi-led NSCN/GPRN has also extended Mongmong festival greetings to the Sangtam tribe. It stated that Mongmong is one of the most important festivals of the Sangtam tribe.