A cultural event jointly organized by Chumoükedima Ao Lanur Telongjem (CALT), Chumoükedima Ao Students’ Union (CASU), and Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Arogo (CABA) Youth Ministry was held at Chumoükedima Ao Baptist Arogo (CABA) on November 5.
The main highlight of the evening was the Ao Gospel Folk Fusion Singing competition amongst the various fellowships/wards of CABA and Ao youths of Police Baptist Church, Chumoükedima, as one of the guest competitors.
The competition witnessed an exciting tussle of creative song writing, composing and rendition. Seiuruzha-Khouva Fellowship was declared the winner of the competition, with Camp Area Fellowship and Church Road Fellowship as 1st runners-up and 2nd runners-up respectively.
The other winners were Yanger Imsong and Sentilong as ‘best composers’, Chubatsür Jamir as the ‘best songwriter’ and Camp Area Fellowship for ‘best attire’. The judges for the competition were Wapangla Walling, Sunep Lemtur, and Imtisenla Imsong.
The main speaker of the programme, secretary CABA, Imlisunep Jamir spoke on the topic ‘Oshi Oben: Senso Ka Nükmen”. He emphasized on the fear of losing their identity as a tribe, as the younger generation continues to embrace foreign languages like English, Hindi, etc. as its primary language of use and ignore their own mother tongue. “Thus a ‘culture revival’ is the need today to safeguard and preserve our Ao identity”, he stated.
In his keynote address, Dr. Moa Walling emphasized on the need to change the narrative regarding culture and tradition as one’s identity, and not simply consider it as an age old (ritualistic) practice of their forefathers.
The program was hosted by Yanger Imsong and Imlisenla Imsong and vote of thanks by executive member CALT, Tiachuba. The event was sponsored by Dr. Moa Walling and family.