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Dimapur, Jan. 13 (EMN): Poanglüm mini-Hornbill Festival, the premiere festival of the Chang community, began on Monday with the theme ‘Waza,’ at the Loyem Memorial Ground in Tuensang town.
On the first day of the festival, Lima Onen Chang, OSD to the chief minister of Nagaland, was the festival patron. The president of the Chang Khulei Setshang was the host, and Kumar Ramnikanth, the deputy commissioner of Tuensang, the co-host.
Onen Chang, the festival patron, appreciated the chief minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, as the brain behind the mini-Hornbill festivals. He also thanked the team of Chang Khulei Setshang, and the organising committee for the ‘outstanding arrangements’ that had been made for the people to celebrate Poanglüm Festival.
Onen also said greetings on behalf of minister CM Chang, who was supposed to be the festival patron but could not attend the programme due to official work. “He thanked the Chang community and sends love to all with wishes of New Year and Poanglüm greetings,” Onen stated on behalf of the minister, the press release stated.
Talking about the history of annual festival celebrations by the community’s ancestors, Onen was stated to have lamented ‘how dependent we have become on the assistance of the government.’ He reiterated that the forefathers of the community ‘did not rely on anything but celebrated with pomp and gaiety along with the neighbouring villages and tribes.’
Onen also shared a conversation that he had with a friend in 2009, where his friend remarked that even though the Changs are a small tribe, he has high regards for them because the Changs are ‘decisive,’ the press release stated.
‘He challenged the people gathered to ponder over it. He stated that there are more than 5000 Chang households and approximately 30,000 Chang populations in Tuensang town with more 1500 shop owners where around 26% local entrepreneurs,’ the press release stated.
‘Almost all the products are being imported from other parts of the country, which is something to be bothered and thought about,’ he added, according to the press release.
Further, he challenged those who are aspiring for the competitive examinations, and local entrepreneurs, leaders, and church workers to imbibe the spirit of hard work, honesty and dedication ‘which our forefathers had possessed,’ the organisers stated.
Earlier, Khoni Ashem, head GB of Tuensang town, pronounced ‘the heralding of the festival’ while Rev. H Sangkap, pastor of Tuensang Town Baptist Church, invoked God’s blessings, the press release stated.
A drama depicting the significance of the Poanglüm Festival was enacted by the Ngangpong Sochumers or hostellers.
Members of K khel of Tuensang village, Kejok Union Tuensang Town, Yangpi Sao Thangjam Tuensang Town, Chingmei Mütli Thangjam Tuensang Town, Konya Union Tuensang Town and a Yimchunger cultural troupe performed folk dances in the afternoon session, the press release stated.