To commemorate 75 years of embracing Christianity, hundreds of people from Mima and neighbouring villages came together to organise the traditional stone-pulling ceremony at the village in Kohima district as part of the 20th Hornbill Festival celebrations.
Located about 16 km south of the State Capital, Mima village with Angami population is known for its rare and distinct traditional underground apiculture and called the “Honey Village” as its produces one of the best quality honey in the country. The stone-pulling ceremony was organised to commemorate 75 years of embracing Christianity that symbolised forgiveness, friendship, peace and reconciliation among the warring groups as the village was marred by enmity among them prior to the arrival of the gospel.
The ceremony covered around one kilometre distance from Mima gate and culminated near the village ground. The stone weighed about 10 tonne and measured 21 feet in height and about 4 feet in breadth.
Dressed in traditional attires, women and children also took part in the ceremony by leading it from the front. The stone pulling ceremony was witnessed by Union Minister of State for Tourism and Art & Culture Prahlad Singh Patel, chief minister Neiphiu Rio and other ministers of his cabinet. Delivering the welcome address, Pastor Kho-o Pfukha, CRC, wished everyone happiness and hoped that the peace of Christ would be upon all who had come to share the historic moment.
He said it was also an occasion to remember the pioneers of faith and show them that their sacrifices had not gone in vain.
Christian Union Mima Kho-o Lese extended greetings to the people, while the invocation was done by senior pastor Zhasalie Ngukha MBC. The ceremony concluded with a grand feast at the village.