Lhisemia khel (L. Khel) from Kohima village celebrated the Angami festival Sekrenyi at TM government higher secondary school, here on Saturday.
The festival was organised jointly by Lhisemia Youth Organization (LYO) and Lhisemia Students Union (LSU) with Lhisemia council chairman, Ayie Yhome as the main speaker.
In his message, Yhome said organising the festival was important since with the change in time and lifestyle of the people, the present and upcoming generations were gradually losing the knowledge and connection with the history.
Giving a description of the wooden bed used in the olden times called ‘Yakouzhü’, which were carved out from one massive tree, Yhome said, knowing how people endured nature and survived even the harshest living conditions should be good lessons for the youngsters.
Pointing at the host of traditional items assembled at the living space replicating regular houses in the past, he said knowing such items was essential in order to pass on the knowledge to the future generations.
Sharing his opinion on the observance of the festival, Yhome pointed out that one should be diligent in their Christian life; however, he said commemorating the event should not be misconstrued as reverting to the olden way of life.
He said people in the olden times celebrated the festival with abundance of food items especially rice wines, which were used in very limited and as a nourishing beverage.
He pointed out that people nowadays tend to abuse it and therefore too much indulgence in the use of such alcoholic beverages do not conform to the Christian way of life.
In this regard, he said festival could be observed in a pompous manner even without abusing such alcoholic beverages.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by LSU 75th anniversary organising committee convenor, Dzüvinguzo Mepfhüo, elderly blessing was pronounced by L.Khel head GB, Krutuolie Yhome while greetings was conveyed by LYO president, Mhasimhalie (Matthew) Yhome.
Special numbers were presented by LSU, Khrierei Krotho and Seyiekruonuo Yhome while vote of thanks was proposed by Dziesekhrietuo Khruomo.
The celebration was marked by traditional games including wooden cart race, top spinning battle, bamboo stilt race, war cry competition, high jump and folk song presentations.
One of the main attractions during the festival was the detail description and explanation of traditional ornaments, headgears, apparels among the various age groups between men and women presented by LSU.
School going children were made to learn the names of the different traditional apparels, kitchen wares, household items and other everyday essential commodities used by people in the olden times.