DIMAPUR — Salesian College of Higher Education (SCHE), Dimapur, held a folklore competition on September 16 on the theme “Preserving Naga heritage: Tales of tradition and culture.”
An update from the college stated that Gloria Kamei, head of History department, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of preserving the vibrant heritage of the Naga community, which is reflected through songs, music, folklore etc.
The rector of Good Shepherd Seminary, Fr. Jaison Thomas, who was also the special guest of the event, spoke of the need to showcase the culture, tradition and heritage of the Naga community. He recounted being amazed by the vibrancy, variety and richness of the Naga tribes in his 30 years of life in Nagaland.
While reminding on the need to protect the legacy, Fr. Thomas heaped praises on the college for taking the right step to safeguard the cultural heritage by providing opportunity to learn and enact the cultural narratives.
In his speech, the college’s principal, Dr. Fr. Paul Punü, spoke of the oral tales and traditions which carry along epigraphs of religious beliefs, social behaviours and organisations, artifacts etc.
“Folktales are hidden codes of a culture. It has the capacity to reveal multiple facets of a community and society,” Dr. Fr. Punü said.
In the folklore competition, the students of different departments performed skits and dances based on the folklore of Zeliangrong, Sumi, Ao and Tangkhul tribes. It stated that the skits were based on the themes of love, sacrifice, lycanthropy, arrival of the Christianity among the Naga tribes etc. The skits were interspersed with songs and dances.
In the competition, the English and Political Science departments shared the first prize, while the second prize was won by the Sociology department.
Kosham, president of the History department, thanked the participants and the organisers for making the programme a grand success. The programme concluded with a thanksgiving prayer said by Sr. Mercy Philip, vice principal of the college.
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