Presenting cultural songs, dances and tradition of the Nagas, the cultural show under the theme “Cultural Connect” thrilled spectators with various indigenous games and folk dances on day 6 of the ongoing Hornbill festival at Kisama on Thursday.
The cultural extravaganza was presented by the department of Art & Culture, in a bid to focus on promoting the culture to the state.
In the show, a Sumi cultural troupe demonstrated Akhetsu Kukakeu (top spinning), a traditional game played by the community, where each player takes turns trying to spin a top for the longest duration and also strike the spinning top of other competitors.
Yimchunger tribe presented a folk song called Wochak Khundung. The song ‘Oh he’ is sung after all seeds are sown.
The Zeliang community performed Awaina Lim (Amur Falcon Dance), a dance that depicts the happy merry making movements of the bird.
Rengmas presented a lullaby folksong called Nyuhonyu Kehu Lu — a lullaby sung when putting babies to sleep.
The Angami tribe demonstrated a traditional game called Neiyie Tsupre (test of strength and maturity). In olden times, young lads attempted to carry a stone held above their head without touching their body around a yard to show their strength and eligibility for marriage. Failure to accomplish this was interpreted to mean immaturity.
Pochury tribe also demonstrated an indigenous game called Advobvii Akhanyo. Players in two groups tie shawls round their waists and try to pull each other down. The game is played in the winter and early spring.
A troupe of the Kachari community performed a serpentine dance called Baikhon or Bai Jubu. The folk dance imitates the crawling of a python and is performed by men and women of all age groups.
The Lothas demonstrated a traditional game called Ejupta (cock fight), a traditional game that is played on all occasions. The participants stand within a circle, hop on one leg, and try to push opponents out of the circle or make them fall.
The Konyaks performed Ozia Vantong Ngoih Tsai (song and dance). This song and dance was performed around the Zangvun (A decorated bamboo pole) under which they lay all the trophies from a war raid as a sacrifice to the gods.
The Khiamnuingans demonstrated I-Yah (retreat after battle). During the headhunting days, warriors from the village are carefully selected to go for raiding neighbouring villages. After raiding, they collect the heads and hands of the enemies to be carried back to their native village.
The Phom community exhibited Monyu Dhonghpu Asho (folk song and dance). Monyu is the biggest festival which is celebrated in the month April every year. It is a festival that showers love on daughters and sisters with men competing to host the best feast for their daughters and sisters. The song and dance is an invitation to the friends and peer groups to come and participate and share the blessings of Phom daughters.
The Garo community performed the quarrel dance. This dance reflects the quarrel between the clans of the Garo’s: Sangma (intelligence) and Marak (power). Two persons holding a millam (sword) and sepi (shield) try to overpower each other. After the feud, the females perform a folk dance and making of peace follows.
The Chakhesang community performed Rünye (Folk song) to end the cultural show.
Promoting Nagaland’s silk
Correspondent
KOHIMA, DEC 6 (NPN): It is believed that Nagaland’s silk is one of the best, and this was proved by the silks displayed at the ongoing Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
Orchid Petal, is running a stall at the Hornbill festival, Bamboo Pavilion, Kisama that was set up for display and sale of a beautiful collection of exquisite hand woven Naga silk. The designs of the Naga silk were an attraction for many visitors.
Advisor and founder of Orchid Petal Naga Silk Emporium, Achine K. Dolie said they have around 35 workers including farmers.
She explained that they get different kinds of cocoons from farmers from all over Nagaland which are later given for spinning and then for design, to create the final products.
Dolie said aware of the value of the Naga Silkworm, rearing and spinning their cocoons is practised in almost all the districts of Nagaland and there are many weavers from Phek, Kohima and Dimapur.
She added that this was not her first stint in the Hornbill festival and that they had received accolades and exposure especially among tourists who learn about quality Naga silks.
She also stated that most of her customers were outsiders who show interest in the quality and story about the process. Most of them end up buying something.
The proprietor asserted that Nagaland had many silkworm products yet focus is mainly on the local one called Eri-silk as it is easier for the farmers to get.
Orchid Petal’s designs displayed at the stall are mostly traditional, including shawls, makhelas and recently they have started adding dresses, table runners etc.
Achine also said that unlike cotton and jute, Eriyarn is easier to dye and indigenous natural dyes of Nagaland, which are 100 percent organic, has high demand within the country and outside.
She said the dyes are mainly called Khwii, Meyha, Khwiitho and Riirnki and Pedu.
According to Dolie, Orchid Petal gives employment opportunities to rural people in rearing Eri Silk worm, and spinning silk yarns.
Legal services stall at Hornbill Festival Kisama
DIMAPUR: Nagaland State Legal Services Authority, on December 1, opened a legal services stall at the Hornbill Festival, Kisama for the 5th year in a row to spread legal awareness to the general public and to provide free legal aid to the downtrodden and weaker sections of society.
A press release by NSLSA state coordinator, Akumla Longchari stated that the legal services stall was inaugurated by Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, Judge, Supreme Court. In his inaugural address he encouraged the NSLSA to continue the good work of reaching out to the poor and needy. He was accompanied by Justice A.S Bopanna, Chief Justice, Guahati High Court & patron-in-chief, NSLSA, Justice, Ajit Singh, Chief Justice, Guahati High Court (Rtd), Justice A. K Goswami, Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge, Gauhati High Court & executive chairman, NSLSA, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Judge Gauhati High Court, Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad, Chief Justice, Manipur High Court, Justice L. S Jamir, Judge Manipur High Court and Nagaland judicial officers.
The stall is manned by the coordinators and panel lawyers of the NSLSA, panel lawyers KDLSA, para legal volunteers of NSLSA and students of Kohima Law College (KLC). Some of the stalls activities are distribution of pamphlets, booklets, providing free legal counseling, preparing affidavits and drafting applications free of cost.