Tsüngremmung festival: Minister Kaito Aye lauds Longsa village’s spirit of togetherness

DIMAPUR — The second day of the Tsüngremmung Festival 2025 at Longsa village, Mokokchung district, featured G Kaito Aye, Minister for PWD (R&B), as the chief guest; Imkong L Imchen, Advisor for Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation, as guest of honour; and Imkongmar, Advisor for Minority Affairs & Sericulture, as honoured guest.

The three-day festival is organised by the Longsa Village Council under the patronage of the Department of Tourism.

Addressing the festive gathering, Kaito Aye expressed his privilege at participating in the Tsüngremmung festival and noted the festival's profound cultural significance, which originated in Longsa and has since spread to other villages and communities.

He noted that the festival is celebrated with sacred reverence in Longsa and appreciated the diverse gathering of tribes, including Sumi and Sangtam communities, at the festival.

The minister stated that the gathering reflected true unity and cultural harmony. Aye noted that, unlike many places where neighbouring communities often struggle to unite, Longsa had achieved something remarkable by bringing together diverse tribes—a testament to the village's spirit of togetherness.

He also emphasised that the celebration of Tsüngremmung is not only a reflection of unity within the village but also among the wider community, while remarking that festivals like this are crucial to develop togetherness and preserve cultural heritage.

The minister also assured that the Government of Nagaland was committed to finding solutions for the Naga people and emphasised the need for unity and collective effort to achieve lasting resolutions.

“Nagas often remain disunited on several important issues, and we do not know how to put out the spark once it is lit,” Aye said, while stressing that unity can still be achieved through sharing and exchange of cultures and traditions.

“We are not strangers to one another—we are one,” he said, underlining that such unity is essential for building a stronger and more cohesive Nagaland.

The Village Council, Longsa, in a memorandum to the minister, appealed for construction of a permanent RCC bridge over the Dikhu River and blacktopping of the Longsa–Surohuto–Aghunato Road.

In response, Aye acknowledged the demand to upgrade the Longsa–Surohuto–Aghunato road and informed that the state government had already submitted a INR 200-300 crore proposal to the North Eastern Council (NEC).

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Speeches were also delivered by advisors Imkong L Imchen and Imkongmar, Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong, and former chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir.

The event featured vibrant cultural performances by various groups, including Sangpu Mepu, Longsadi Mepu, Imnasanger, Longsa Watsü Telen, MTLST, and cultural troupes from Tichipami village (Sumi) and Chari village (Sangtam).

Tsüngremmung celebration at Khensa village

Tsüngremmung was also celebrated at Khensa village on Saturday with Advisor, for Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation, Imkong L Imchen as the special guest.

In his address, Imchen said he was convinced that the Ao tribe is one of God’s chosen tribes among the Nagas as, apart from many things, God has given the opportunity to the Ao tribe to be His followers. 

Imchen noted that celebrating festivals allows each tribe to preserve its culture, but he also emphasised the importance of staying true to one's faith and living according to God's will.

The Advisor expressed gratitude to the Khensa Students' Union for organising the grand event and commended Khensa village, being the most literate in the 28 Koridang Constituency, as a potential leader and role model for the community.