Angami Sekrenyi-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival was celebrate with pomp and grandeur at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama here on Tuesday where cultural events and competitions, and drawing participation by various youth organizations marking the event.
Gracing the celebration as festival host, Advisor for Prison, Printing & Stationery, Kropol Vitsu, underscored the importance of preserving traditional practices and beliefs associated with the festival.
Kropol noted that seven villages in the region still followed the traditional religion of their forefathers. In this regard, he pointed out that Sekrenyi festival, also known as Phousanyi, signified the purification of one’s body and soul. Celebrated after completion of fieldwork, he mentioned that the festival offered a period of relaxation and festivity for the community.
Kropol also pointed out that the festival has no fixed date but decided on the basis of the lunar calendar, which vary from region to region. He said the celebrations remained confined to individual villages for a long time adding that the efforts to observe it on a common day was a significant step forward.
Highlighting the importance of traditional feasts, Kropol remarked that a wide variety of meat remained central to the celebrations. While acknowledging his Christian faith, Kropol recalled his own upbringing and stressed the need to preserve the festival’s cultural significance.
He said there were apprehensions that if traditional culture was not safeguarded, then “we will lose our traditional values.” He also spoke about the Feast of Merit, an essential practice of the past, and elaborated on its various levels.
On cultural practices often questioned by outsiders, Kropol explained the symbolic importance behind consuming dog meat, a practice rooted in the community’s traditional beliefs.
While cultural events like the Hornbill Festival provided an excellent platform to promote Naga traditions, he cautioned against misrepresentation of traditional practices and excessive use of alcohol, which invite much ridicule.
“We must be careful and ensure that our traditional values are upheld with dignity,” he said, adding “Preserving our culture and passing it on to future generations must remain our top priority.”
Earlier, the inaugural programme was chaired by Angami Public Organisation (APO) vice-president (judicial) Seyielhoutuo Keyho, while invocation was pronounced by Rev Fr Dr George Pezalhoukho Rino, PG coordinator, St Joseph College, (Autonomous) Jakhama.
The welcome address was delivered by APO general secretary Keneilesa Neikha, and traditional blessings pronounced by Kruvil Kikhi.
Vizosietuo Vüprü blew traditional horn, and Khrietuolie Mezhü and friends performed a special number. The second day of the celebrations on Wednesday would feature chief minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief host.
Various youth organizations participated in various events. In the war cry competition, Zenohol Sophie and Kekhrünozo Khazo, both from the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), secured the first and second positions respectively.
In the Tati competition, the Western Angami Youth Organisation (WAYO), SAYO, and Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO) got the first, second, and third prizes respectively, while Kekuoleto of SAYO emerged as the winner in the traditional fire-making contest Female tholi exhibition was performed by the CYO, while male top spinning exhibition was performed by WAYO and NAYO.