A six-day Aoleang Monyu festival – the premier festival of the Konyak community, which celebrates the arrival of spring and prays for a good upcoming harvest – began on Saturday with splendour and gaiety.
Aoleang Monyu festival was celebrated at The Heritage Kisama on Saturday with minister for PHED, Chotisuh Sazo as the chief guest.
In his address, Sazo stressed on maintaining and preserving the good values practised by the ancestors and said that festivals were celebrated keeping up with the culture and traditions of each tribe. He said the festivals celebrate the values practiced by the ancestors such as, respect for elders and women, work values and abiding traditional and customary laws. Sazo, however, lamented that in the present day people have “diverted” themselves from all the good practices.
The minister called upon the people to maintain the “true values” of the festivals by merry makings and strengthening the bond of friendship between the families, friends and others.
Pointing out that in the past the Naga tribes celebrate festivals with their hard earned resources, Sazo lamented that at present Nagas instead of working hard for the resources were only collecting money from officers, contractors etc. to celebrate festivals. He then said that such practice should be discouraged.
Sazo also lauded the contributions of Konyaks in Naga society and appreciated the tribe for maintaining its “distinct identity” like the practise of Angh-ship, tattoo culture and creativity. He said Konyaks were the first Naga tribe to gun powder.
Though Konyak falls under the “backward tribe” category, he said the tribe was progressing in many fields and that it was not “backward physically, mentally or intellectually”. He also urged the younger generation to be brave like their ancestors and be competitive so as to be at par with the rest of the world. The minister also called upon the people to preserve the fauna and flora and urged each individual to create awareness on preservation. Sazo also appealed the Naga Political Groups to unite so as to arrive at an “honourable” solution to Naga political issue.
Additional chief secretary and development commissioner R.B Thong, who graced the occasion as guest of honour, recalled his close association with the Konyak tribe. Pointing out that Konyaks inhabit a fertile land, Thong said the region can become the “rice bowl of Nagaland”. He also informed that government of India has approved the Dimapur-Tizit railway line.
Chairman NPSC A. Yanang Konyak delivered the significance of the festival while chief host of the festival minister, C. L John, delivered festival greetings. The festival witnessed cultural special and cultural presentations from Angam Khong, Chen Wankon, Tobu Wankon, KNSK/Tangshem Lan, Wakching Wankon and Mon Wankon.
Earlier, the chief guest also erected a bamboo at the festival site as a symbol of blessing.
MOPONG: Parliamentary secretary for Youth Resource and Sports, Khekaho Assumi Aoleang festival celebration at Mopong EAC headquarters on Saturday held under the theme “Social and Cultural Awakening”.
In his address, Khekaho said besides celebrating Aoleang festival which celebrates the culture and traditions and prays for good harvest for the year, there was a need to retrospect and see how far the community has come in terms of development and education.
Encouraging youth to venture out into private sectors, Khekaho said they should opt for vocational trainings and become entrepreneurs instead of waiting for government jobs which was already saturated. He also said youth should help the government for good governance by being a pressure group and ensuring the schools functions well, hospitals were maintained and developmental works were properly implemented.
Cultural presentation was one of the highlights of Aoleang festival.
Saturday, May 30, 2026