Sangtam community celebrated “Mungmung”, festival with focus on traditional practices and cultural performances across Nagaland on September 3.
According to DIRP report, advisor of IT & Communication, Economic & Statistics and Evaluation, H. Sethrongkyu Sangtam graced the Mungmung festival at Town Hall, Tuensang as special guest.
Speaking at the festival, he thanked the Sangtam Union Tuensang Town for organising the festival showcasing the unity among the Sangtam people of Tuensang. He said the festival was a time for forgiveness, thanksgiving and strengthening friendship ties with one another. He exhorted the gathering to promote peace and harmony with rest of the Nagas.
Noting that Tuensang being one of the oldest and windows of the Eastern Nagaland, sharing boundaries with all the Eastern district, Sethrongkyu said Sangtam tribe have to be more vigilant and set good examples for the rest of the Nagas.
Other highlights of the function were invocation by Dr. Imsujungba, pastor SBL Tuensang, welcome address by H. Bendang Sangtam, folksong from Sangtam Sangli Cultural Club, Commendation Award to the successful NPSC Candidates, short speech from Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa DC Tuensang and vote of thanks was delivered by Atingse Sangtam.
USLP: United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) hosted the Mungmung Festival at Public Ground, Kiphire with ENPO president A. Chingmak Chang as the chief guest.
In his speech, Chingmak said Sangtams have 12 festivals of feasting, dancing with music and merry making, but above all Mungmung which means “Togetherness Forever” was the most important festival of all and observed in the first week of September every year stretching over six days. The festival is also celebrated the good harvest and food grains for which the villagers have toiled throughout the year.
In this regard, Chingmak appealed to ENPO people to eradicate all evils and isms in the society. He further said under the able leadership of chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, the government was committed to all round development of the state, and said the Eastern Region of the state requires more handholding than the other parts.
Therefore, Chingmak said it was important to bridge both physical and human capital gaps and for which the Government has an open – door policy to resolve the ENPO issue. He expressed hope that the chief minister will look into the ENPO issue with positive mind set.
He also highlighted the ENPO meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs at Delhi on August 13, 2024 and also with the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on August 23, 2024 respectively.
Earlier, Dr. H. Apise, secretary USBLA, Kiphire invoked God’s blessings followed by a welcome speech by Aliba Sangtam, president USLP. Short speeches were delivered by Chinese Chakhesang, Superintendent of Police, Kiphire and Throngseli, Head GB, Kiphire Town.
Significance of the Mungmung Festival was delivered by Seili, Head GB, Amahator Village. Solidarity speech was delivered by Tokhishe, president Eastern Sumi Hoho; N. Y. Choba Chang, president, Chang Khulei Setshang and Chongba Jurry, president, Pochury Hoho. Happy Mungmung song was presented by Alope Tsarola Y. Sangtam.
Cultural items were presented by Nyiichinung, Kiphire village, Khuti Nyiichiru Mulund and Thangthure Village Nyiichiru Mulund. Haho song was presented by Longmatra Area Atparu mulung, Kiphire and Amahator Village Atparu Union, Kiphire Town.
Titse Nyeh Khitong, (millet grinding) was performed by Hurong village Union, Kiphire Town and Machi Khitong by Natsami village Union, Kiphire Town. Exhibition Stalls have been set up by the Locals, displaying the local products at Kiphire Public Ground during the celebration of the Mungmung Festival.
SVC: Sangtamtilla Village Council (SVC) celebrated “Mungmung”, the annual festival of the Sangtam community at Sangtamtilla village, Dimapur on Tuesday.
Residents of Sangtamtilla and neighbouring area attended the festival in their traditional attires. Speaking at the programme, as special guest, Er. N. Thrathrichem, retired Chief Engineer, extended Mungmung greetings and shared his reflections on the importance of understanding and preserving the true essence of Naga customs and traditions.
He pointed out that while Nagas strive to protect the customs and traditions, there was lack of understanding on the true meaning. “We try to save our customs and traditions, but we fail to understand the true meaning of them,” he said.
He said Naga customs were built on four fundamental principles: honesty, trustworthiness, hard work, and respect. But today, according to Er. N. Thrathrichem those principles, which was deeply rooted in the society were slowly losing its importance. He therefore, encouraged the gathering to restart their journey by embracing those principles and pointed out that “the lowest character in society today is respect.”
He also called on parents to go beyond merely telling stories of traditions, customs or focusing on traditional attire instead, encouraged them to teach their children about the core values of hard work and respect.
Significance of the festival was shared by village council member Tonglichem with demonstration of the past rituals and ceremonies of the festival and greetings message was delivered by VCC Asemba Mongzar.
The programme was chaired by council secretary Yolise, invocation by Sangtamtilla Baptist Lithro pastor Dr C Toshimereh Sangtam and vote of thanks by second GB Sekyiichem and benediction by SCBL pastor S Akhang.
A cultural presentation- folk dances and songs, and various competitions on traditional games and sports such as tug of war, pork eating competition, spinning of the top etc were also conducted.