Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 25
The Angami community today celebrated ‘Sekrenyi’, a traditional festival of purification and sanctification which is held to invoke good health of the community for the ensuing year.
Also called “Phousanyi”, the festival of purification in the olden days, is said to have a series of rituals that lasts for 10 days, but with the advent of Christianity, the rites and rituals are not practiced anymore except for a few aspects such as keeping alive traditional folk songs and dances and partaking in community feast.
On Thursday, the Angami Public Organization (APO) organized a celebration at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama with the president of Naga People’s Front, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu as the special guest.
In his address on the occasion, Liezietsu while emphasizing on the significance of ‘Sekrenyi’, underscored the importance of knowing one’s identity and roots. A tree has deep roots spread in the earth and the strength of the tree is determined by the roots, he said.
Stating that the younger generation are well equipped with education and intellect, he called upon them to carry out intense research on their origins and history of their people for knowledge as well as records. The veteran statesman also hoped that young people will embark on such research soon and get in touch with the few elderly persons like octogenarians and nonagenarians who can pass on valuable information about their roots.
Liezietsu also pointed out that indigenous names, such as the names of persons and places, hold great significance and their origins must be studied. He said names are very important but there are many indigenous names in the society that have been misspelled and not corrected, and many even misused.
He also recalled the good traditional values “our people” were known for and stressed on the need for the present generation to incorporate those ancestral values in the changing times.
Delivering greetings on the occasion, APO president, Dr. Vilhusa Seleyi highlighted briefly the significance of the festival, as well as how the organization has worked towards peaceful coexistence of the Angamis and the rest of the Nagas. He said the Angamis aspire to live peacefully with their neighbours, however, some stray incidents keep occurring to deter this. Towards this end, he appealed to the Angami legislators to pursue the matter in their level so that peaceful coexistence can be established with others including neighbouring states.
Seleyi reminded the gathering that APO has always stood firm on peaceful solution to the Naga political issue, and also reiterated the stand of the organization on the 3rd August 2015 “framework agreement” signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM). He also mentioned that the APO is deeply concerned over the recent unrest in Tuensang and Kiphire districts, as well as the prevailing situation which resulted from harassment of NSF officials by Manipur police forces. He expressed hope that the matters would be resolved in a peaceful manner.
During the celebration, a special prayer was pronounced for Angami wrestlers from the four different ranges (Chakhro Northern, Western and Southern) who have been selected to participate in the forthcoming Nagaland Wrestling Association 25th tournament anniversary championship.
The festive event was attended by Angami legislators Kiyanilie Peseyie, Vikho-o Yhoshü and Zhaleo Rio, and the leaders of all the frontal organizations under the Angami Public Organization including Angami Youth Organization, Angamimiapfü Mechü Krotho, Angami Students’ Union and their sub-units.
