Nagaland to continue promoting major festivals of all tribes, says Chief Minister Rio

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Feb. 26 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday reiterated the stand of the government to promote major festivals of all tribes to preserve the rich culture and traditions of the state.

Speaking at the Sekrenyi Festival organised at his native village Touphema, Rio expressed happiness over Nagas coming together during festivities.

Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and scores of invitees from Ungma village under Mokokchung district joined the celebration on Saturday.

Rio recalled an agreement made under the initiative of former Chief Minister Dr. SC Jamir and himself 21 years ago to promote their festivals and establish friendship between the people of Tuophema and Ungma. He also said that many had come to share the joy of their friendship being manifested during the festival, which according to him, was a sign of ‘unity in Nagaland’.

He expressed hope that youngsters will renew their friendship through the festival, while emphasising the need to preserve the legacy of their rich heritage.

Rio asserted that the ‘unique history, traditional and cultural practices’ of the state is attracting many visitors from different parts of the world.

Sharingain Longkumer also shared about the genesis of the Tuophema-Ungma friendship and brotherhood.

A delegation of 42 tatars from Ungma accompanied SC Jamir to celebrate Sekrenyi with Rio on Feb. 26, 2001 in Tuophema, he said, adding that on March 8 the same year, Rio led a strong contingent from his village comprising village leaders, tatars and gaonburas to Ungma, where a pig was shared equally between the two villages, following the Ao tradition, signifying the establishment of brotherhood and friendship.

The tradition was repeated on Saturday. “Today is history written again amongst our brothers,” said Longkumer.

He assured that the people of Ungma would continue to uphold the brotherhood and friendship with their Tuophema counterparts, while thanking the chief minister for remembering them at all times. He also congratulated the two student unions of the villages for nurturing brotherhood.

The event was marked by cultural dance and song performances from Tuophema and Ungma villages.