Way of the Hornbill: Tribes represent the Naga lore in a single event

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 7: It was martial day. Members of the Sumi community on Thursday demonstrated at the Hornbill Festival at Kisama in Kohima an indigenous game they called ‘Apukhu Akikiti’ (Sumi for ‘leg fighting’). The showcase was for the morning session of a segment ‘Culturally Yours.’ Similarly, members of the Ao community performed for visitors a dance form depicting battles of yore. The narrative continued in the performances of various other fellow tribes.
Apukhu Akikiti is a traditional game played by Sumi men. It is usually played between two men. However, an expert if he so challenges, can play against two juniors at a time. This game is also a competition of skills and strength in which players attempt to bring down the opponent by kicking.
A player who touches the ground ‘even with his finger’ loses. However, there is a strict rule that a participant should never be kicked after he is down.

Of wars
Another highlight to the segment was an Ao cultural group performing ‘Arpu Tsungsang’ (Ao for ‘war dance’). In the past, as tales of antiquities go, when headhunting was practiced by the Naga forefathers, Ao warriors have had to fight enemies to protect their people and village. When faced with the enemy in battle, they marched forward with loud war caries.
And victory
Another highlight came from the Khiamniungan. A cultural group from the community performed ‘Elie zuihang’ (‘victory dance’) during the morning session of Culturally Yours.
The dance depicted villagers returning to their village after a successful raid. The Elie zuihang dance is performed with vigour and represents a resolve to renew their strength to defend their village. The message here is that unity is the source of strength.
And celebrations
The Pochury community was not far behind: A cultural group performed ‘Miirii Kowthring’ (folk dance) during the session too.
The Miirii Kowtrhing is a folk dance and song celebrating a successful hunt. In the performance the dancers challenge their friends to counting the numbers of animals they hunted down during the hunting expedition.
With merrymaking and feasts
The Yimchungrii tribe also sang for the visitors a song about feasts. In the olden days, a feast is organized to showcase one’s credibility, possession, wealth and popularity and to gain higher social status. At the appointed time the host invites his close associates, friends and neighbours, village elders and all the folks in general to the feast. The invitees and guests are offered special rice beer and food followed by merrymaking. The gathering then acknowledges the phenomenal gesture of the host and invokes their blessings upon the host’s family
Marking the event
The Chang, another fabled community, also had more thrills for the visitors. A Chang cultural group performed ‘Khiing Pupbii’ (Chang for a ritual in which foreheads of women are tattooed) during the afternoon session of ‘Culturally Yours’ at Naga Heritage village, Kisama.
In the olden days, Changsang was divided into four clans namely the Ung, the Kangshou, the Lomou and the Hongang. According to traditions, the foreheads of ladies were tattooed as a mark of identification. Initially, this was practiced only by women of the Ung Clan. However, the other clans also followed the practice gradually.
Chief of Eastern Command visits festival
Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna, general officer commandant-in-chief of the Eastern Command visited Kohima on Dec. 6.
The commander reviewed the security situation in Nagaland and discussed various projects being undertaken by the security forces in Nagaland. He interacted with the governor of Nagaland PB Acharya and the chief minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang and other civil dignitaries, updates on Thursday informed.
Lieutenant General Krishna also attended the Hornbill Festival as the chief guest on Dec. 7. During the occasion, he complimented the people of Nagaland on the occasion of statehood which was achieved on Dec. 1 1963. He expressed joy to be a part of the festival and complimented the people of Nagaland for having transformed the Hornbill Festival into a ‘global’ event within a short time.
Addressing the people Lieutenant General Krishna said, “The cultural heritage, the traditional community living and uniqueness is an example for all of us to learn and imbibe and this must be preserved.” He stated that “all should dedicate themselves in shaping a very peaceful progressive and developed Nagaland and in that Assam Rifles and army will be there to assist you in whatsoever manner possible,” the updates quoted him as having said during the event.