Rongmei Naga tribe celebrated “Gaan-Ngai” the premier festival organized by Rongmei council Nagaland (RCN) and being hosted by Rongmei council Kohima (RCK) with Chairman, NSMDC Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, MLA, as the chief guest at Kohima local ground on Tuesday.
Dr. Keditsu in his address stressed the importance of preserving the Naga customary values which are diminishing in this present generation. Appreciating the festival organizer, he said through this celebration many people understand better the significance of festival and also the value of culture and tradition. Encouraging the gathering, Dr. Keditsu said any tribe whether big or small should be united and choose the good leader to reach the higher level.
He challenged the young generations to rise up and be self employed and earn livelihood other than seeking only government job. Appreciating the Rongmei community for their hard work and self employing activities largely practice by the tribe, Dr. Keditsu urged them to teach such valuable practices to other community too. He advised the youth to be proud of their profession big or small and their abilities by changing the mindset of self underestimate.
While reminding the significance of festival, Dr. Keditsu also shared the importance of loving each other, good relationship and peaceful co-existence with others for better society. He also challenged the members present to think and work out what is better to move ahead in this modern world.
RCK advisor Johnny Ruangmei in his speech on significant of Gaan-Ngai said this festival is the premier and post harvest festival of Rongmei Naga tribe. He said in this festival people expressed gratitude to the almighty God for the bountiful harvest and prayed for the prosperous coming year. He said during this festival bad omen or bad spirit is chase out from the village jurisdiction and anticipating better days ahead. Ruangmei said the five day long festival accompanied with lots of merry making feast, meat, use best rice beer and chutney, practice of warfare, wrestling, traditional games, elders blessings and so on.
President RNPO Namgai Gonmei the special conferrer also address the gathering.
The programme was compeered by Meininglungliu Gonmei, invocation prayer said by Rev. Dingshungamang Kamei, welcome address delivered by Rajienlung Kamei RCK ex-member, traditional dances were performed by Kohima unit RCK, Dimapur unit RCD, Peren unit RCP, special song presented by Esmeralda Darling Gangmei, vote of thanks proposed by Kidongam Panmei co-covenor and closing prayer said by Francis Panmei catechist RCAK. Programme was attended by thousands Rongmei from Dimapur, Peren and Kohima.
In the next session there were Rongmei Naga tribes traditional games and sports, Gaan-Ngai miss contest and bonfire.