DIMAPUR: Poumai Baptist Church, Chümoukedima, observed Cultural Sunday under the theme “Save Culture, Save Heritage” (Deuteronomy 32:7) at its church on Sunday, reaffirming its commitment to preserving Poumai cultural identity and heritage for future generations.
Delivering the keynote address, Rev. Dr. P. James, pastor, emphasised that every people group has its own culture, which is a divine creation and not merely of human origin. “A people without culture is a lost people,” he said. He noted that many Christians mistakenly believe the Gospel of Christ is against culture, but clarified that Christ came not to abolish the law but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17). Quoting Apostle Paul, he pointed out that Paul contextualised the Gospel in different settings to reach people (1 Corinthians 9:20).
The pastor observed that every culture contains both positive and negative elements. While positive elements should be incorporated with the Gospel to make it more contextual and meaningful, negative elements must be denounced. He cautioned against romanticising culture in ways that dilute the Gospel, stressing that God has given each people group its own culture which must be preserved. Referring to Deuteronomy 32:7, he urged the congregation to “remember the days of old” and learn from elders about their roots and past, lest they lose their identity in the tide of globalisation.
The programme featured contributions from various ministries. Sunday School children presented a vibrant folk song reflecting the joy of Poumai tradition, while the Youth Department and Women’s Department offered cultural numbers with traditional songs and expressions. A special cultural show highlighted Poumai folk performances, artistic expressions and storytelling sessions recounting ancestral wisdom, customs and the community’s journey of faith. The storytelling underscored the importance of passing on oral history and cultural values to younger generations.
The service concluded with traditional refreshments, including sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, a cherished Poumai delicacy. Clad in traditional attire, members of the congregation joined in folk songs and cultural expressions, reflecting the church’s ongoing effort to preserve Poumai language, customs, songs and values while remaining firmly grounded in the Gospel.
