Nerhema and Tseminyu commemorate 50th ‘peace treaty’ anniversary

KOHIMA — Nerhema and Tseminyu on Wednesday celebrated 50 years of ‘peace treaty’ between them at Chiephobozou local ground.

During the programme, Kegwanye Kent, convenor of the souvenir committee, gave a brief history on the ancestral covenant made between Nerhema and Tseminyu. He said that during the headhunting time, Perhielie with his elder brother Tsemi searched for an ideal settlement along with Dapfü, where Perhielie settled at Nerhema and Tsemi moved northward. He added that since then their forefathers upheld the brotherly relationship.

He, however, stated that during the headhunting period, a marauding act was perpetrated by Mezoma and Nerhema on defenceless women, children and aged men while the abled men folk were out in their field. Subsequently, the bloody revenge taken by Tseminyu on the marauders was a bitter tale of that time. He stated that the incident shaken the existing ancestral treaty of the forefathers.

Kent stated that with the advent of Christianity and in the true sense of forgiveness, the ancestral brotherhood between the two villages was undertaken by forefathers. They have also erected a covenant monolith commemorating the treaty at Nerhema village on March 7, 1973, and in Tseminyu village on February 12, 1975, with feast and merry-making to help others in times of need.

The monolith in commemoration of the treaty was installed in Tseminyu on March 6, 1987, by Rev. Neiliezhü Üsou and in Nerhema by Rev. Sebu on February 25, 1989, he said.

To reaffirm the oral ancestral history, representatives from both villages spoke during the first friendship treaty celebration. He said today they are celebrating the golden jubilee and expressed hope that the celebration would ushers in peace and brotherly relationships for all times to come.

Also speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Gwayhunlo Lawrence Khing, vice principal of NEISSR, Dimapur, stated that coming together of Nerhema and Tseminyu has testified that they are no longer in their mortal flesh but longing for immortality through peace and treaty.

‘We need to discover and proclaim the goodness of each other,’ he said.

He mentioned that the peace treaty among the two villages is sealed not only on the monolith but with the salvation of God. He further called for sustaining the peace between them while adding that sustainability in life is a big challenge.

Convenor of the organising committee, Sevilie Kerhüo, lamented that the present generation are now forgetting each other and do not give importance to the peace treaty made between the two villages.

“In 50 years, population has increased and the two villages expanded. Earlier, it was just Nerhema village and Tseminyu village. But, now Tseminyu consists of 7 villages and Nerhema has 3 villages,” he said.

He stated that the recent accident in the area had resulted in a fight between the two villages and forgot about the peace treaty. He added that the incident prompted the need to revive the brotherly relationships and peace treaty among the present generations. He further urged the gathering to know each other.

The highlights of the celebration included presentation of songs by jubilee choir consisting 50 members each from Nerhema and Tseminyu, ‘friendship hour’, unfurling of flags, prayer by pastors and catechists from both the villages and jubilee feast etc.

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