Borlengri Ao youth celebrate ‘Jangjaren’

Borlengri Ao Baptist Arogo (BABA) Youth Department, in collaboration with Borlengri Ao Students Union (BASU) celebrated a two-day programme, titled, “Jangjaren”, on May 2 and 3, commemorating Moatsü festival, under the theme “Nü Ayak Metetdang” (Know Your Roots).
The event was aimed at reviving and preserving traditional Ao Naga practices by engaging youth in indigenous games, cultural activities, and community learning.
The first day of the celebration was held at Borlengri Ao Community Ground, where participants took part in a series of traditional games, sports, and demonstrations of basic day-to-day skills practiced by the forefathers.
Hands-on learning activities for males included extracting of Bamboo Strips (Yong) used for bamboo baskets, and sharpening of daos, while activities for females included traditional way of Winnowing Rice (Jang Asepba), and pleading ends of traditional attire (Setsüng menokba).
The first day also witnessed indigenous and traditional games and activities, which included bamboo walking, tug of war, traditional fire making, slicing banana stems, and war cry demonstrations, among others.
Council members of Borlengri Ao Tribal Council (BATC) and mothers from the Ao community provided the hands on training.
BATC chairman, Oyimpong, addressing the gathering, highlighted the significance of celebrating Moatsü and stressed the importance of preserving indigenous identity through such initiatives.
Delivering the welcome address, associate pastor youth, BABA, Sentiyala Jamir, spoke on the genesis of the programme, emphasizing that “Jangjaren” was conceptualized to provide a platform for younger generations to learn and reconnect with traditional and cultural practices, so as to preserve and pass on the knowledge for the future generation.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Tongpang Longkumer, and invocation by N Asang Walling, while benediction and prayer for the success of the activities was offered by asso pastor women, BABA, Rev. Tianaro.
Meanwhile, the second day programme was held at BABA Church, marked by a spiritually enriching session, where president, Good News Ministries, Dimapur, Dr. Lulen Jamir, attended as the main speaker.
In his address, he dwelled on the theme “Khristan Lanur aser Sobaliba Tesendaktep”, roughly translated to “Relationship between Christian Youth and Culture”.
Pastor BABA, T. Apok Jamir, also delivered a short exhortation, reinforcing the message of identity, unity, and the importance of passing down traditions to future generations.
He also urged the gathering to make culture original in one’s life and society, whilst also dwelling on the importance of one’s mother tongue adding that mother tongue is the identity of our culture and tradition.
The programme was chaired by Sarah, invocation offered by Deacon member, Kari Imchen, and Bible reading by Shilukumla.
The second day witnessed folk songs presented by three groups, “harvest Flame”, “Worthy Warriors”, and “Imperishable Faith”.