Correspondent
Members of the Angami community celebrated Sekrenyi festival at Touphema amphitheatre with pomp and gaiety, here, on Saturday.
Speaking at the celebration, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker, Sharingain Longkumer lauded the organisers for their efforts in promoting the rich culture and heritage of the community.
Sharingain recalled how 21 years ago on February 26, a strong delegation of 42 Ungma village tatars accompanied former chief minister and governor, Dr. S.C. Jamir along with state chief minister Neiphiu Rio to celebrate Sekrenyi at Touphema.
In the same year on March 8, he narrated that Rio along with village elders, tatars and GBs from Touphema visited Ungma village at the residence of the then chairman, Imtimayang Pongen.
Following Ao traditions, a pig was sacrificed and equally divided into two complete body portions to signify and establish friendship and brotherhood between Ungma and Touphema, he recalled.
The NLA speaker said that the same tradition was displayed among the people and elders of the villages, signifying coming as one in body and spirit even after 21 years.
While asserting that Ungma people would stay true to the brotherhood and friendship with Touphema for all generations to come, Sharingain expressed belief that there would be no bloodshed and bitterness between this bond.
Further, he thanked the students’ union for taking the trouble for bringing together people from different communities during such a special occasion.
Meanwhile, chief minister Neiphiu Rio encouraged the students and youth to learn their customs and traditions passed down from one generation to the other, or else it would gradually disappear with time and they would lose their identity.
Rio lauded the gathering for promoting the rich traditional dances and songs which were displayed at the festival.
Recollecting the past, he shared that due to conflicts among tribes, such festivals could not be celebrated, however, after the government was formed, such differences were resolved.
Joining together as one in celebration of festivals not only renews but also creates friendship with one another, he stated.
He expressed delight to host Sekrenyi festival for guests and friends from Ungma village, the friendship village of Tuophema.
Rio added that the bond between the two villages was being celebrated after 21 years and hoped that the youth would carry forward the friendship.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Kechangulie Kense, vibrant cultural presentation including folk songs and dances from Touphema Bawe, Ungma Village, Touphema cultural Troupe and Botsa village were presented while vote of thanks was proposed by Keduo-u Zumu.
The festival was also graced by bureaucrats of the state, village leaders, leaders and student bodies.
Earlier, during the muzzle loading gun shooting, Ziekie Khel and Phehezou Khel bagged the first and second prizes respectively.
Under top spinning, Chazouma Khel bagged the first prize while Ziekie Khel bagged the second prize.
Meanwhile, under the indigenous catapult shooting, Phehezou Khel and Chazouma Khel came first and second respectively while Ziekie Khel and Basa Peso Khel bagged the first and second prizes under Thuoli game.