Aos celebrate Tsüngremmong festival with traditional fervour

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, August 2 (EMN): Tsungremmong, one of the premier festivals of the Aos, was celebrated on August 2 in different parts of Mokokchung district. The festival is celebrated after laborious period of various jhuming activities to propitiate abundant harvest from the Supreme God.

The celebration of Tsungremmong festival was marked by pageantry of songs and dances by young and old followed by community feast.
In Mokokchung town, the festival was celebrated at Town Hall, which was organised by Sungratsu Senso Senden Mokokchung (SSSM).
Hundreds of Sungratsu citizens from towns and villages, in-laws, various unions from Asetkong range, Asetkong Senden Mokokchung and well-wishers attended the festival today adorned in rich Ao attires.

The festival kick-started from Police Point (Town Square) where different stages of Zunga (Peer Group) engaged in “Meyu-menü,” (an indigenous form of procession that involves yodelling) and proceeded toward the festival venue which was overwhelmingly received by the womenfolk.
Takuangba, president of the Asetkong Senden Mokokchung, who was the special guest of the programme, asserted that the festival could be celebrated in much fervour when there is unity among the people. He acknowledged the Sungratsu Senso Senden Mokokchung for the cooperation and support rendered towards Asetkong Senden Mokokchung in every endeavour.

Takachiba Longchar, chairman of Sungratsu Village Council, stated that Sungratsu people are blessed with two mother tongues (Mongsen and Chungli) which many Ao villages rarely possess. In this regard, he urged the congregation to put more effort in teaching the two mother tongues to their children.

The Mokokchung Town Sungartsu Medensanger Puto Ait and the Sungratsu Aotemulonglar Telongjem Mokokchung (womenfolk) presented spirited traditional songs, while budding tots from Sungratsu also presented traditional dances and songs. The Sungratsu Students’ Union Mokokchung also presented an attractive exhibition of attires of the seven clans of the village.

Short speeches were also delivered by Sashitsungba Aier, president SSSM, and Limasangba, while the significance of Tsungremmong was enlightened by Moatoshi Jamir.
The festival was followed by declaration of raffle draw and ceremonial tug of war between the different Zunga and community fest.
In a similar programme, Longsa village council (LVC) with the patronage of Tourism Department organised a pre-harvest festival ‘Tsüngremmong’ in Longsa village with the Secretary of Tourism and P&AR, Angau I Thou, as the chief guest and the Additional Director of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Dr. N Rongsen Longkumer, as the guest of honour.
Tsüngremmong, which has its origin in Longsa village in the days of the yore, is celebrated with much reverence since time immemorial. With the recognition of Longsa as ‘tourist village’ in 2006,

Tsüngremmong festival is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety under the patronage of the Tourism Department.
The chief guest and Secretary of Tourism, Angau I Thou, while speaking at the programme, highly praised the cleanliness, beauty and discipline of Longsa villagers. Dwelling on the tourism sector, its drawbacks due to lack of adequate funding, the bureaucrat informed that the tourism department, nonetheless, is initiating works and seeking funds through the NEC (North East Council). However, she strongly urged the Longsa village to continue to be partner with the Tourism department so that Longsa village can become a hotspot for tourists.

While highlighting the importance of the Naga culture and tradition, Angau I Thou asserted that traditions represent a critical piece of our culture which helps to form the structure and foundation of our families and society.
“Once we ignore the meaning of our traditions, we are in danger of damaging of our identity,” said Angau. She lamented that Naga cultures are being rapidly influenced by other popular cultures ultimately resulting in dilution of the uniqueness of the same due to the impact of globalisation, proliferation of media and improved communication process.
In this regard, she cautioned the Naga people not to take their values for granted lest ‘our beliefs will get so diluted, and that our way of life would become foreign to us’.
“If we disregard our values, we will open our eyes one day and won’t be able to recognise our world anymore,” said the bureaucrat. She called upon the congregation to keep alive the essence of Tsüngremmong.
Just as the festival is celebrated for the sanctification of the self and society for obtaining blessings from God, she urged for the continued invocation of God’s blessings and to trust in Him just as our forefathers have shown us.
A variety of cultural dances, songs and activities were presented by different clubs and age-groups of Longsa village during the programme where the chief guest and the guest of honour also partook, much to the enjoyment of the audience. A host of officials from the Tourism Department, Mokokchung district administration, village councils from neighbouring villages, tourists and others attended today’s programme.