Dimapur, Dec. 10 (EMN): “Culturally Yours,” a cultural segment presented by the department of Art & Culture, concluded on Dec. 10 at Kisama. 17 outstanding cultural troupes presented to the visitors a glimpse into the rich culture and traditions of the tribes of Nagaland.
On the last day of the festival, the 17 cultural troupes enthralled the crowd with their performances. The Sangtam tribe presented a folk song ‘The fruit of hard labour is sweet,’ which signifies that the crops bear much grains and their fatigue fades away when they sing. The Zeliang tribe performed a farewell dance, ‘Chehin Phinbe Lim’ where, at the culmination of all celebratory activities, the young and old join in singing and dancing, reluctant to end the joyful occasion. Shangpila was presented by the Chang tribe which is a girls and boys song, sung since the olden days. A popular folk dance, ‘Saipi Khupsuh’ was performed by the Kuki cultural troupe; this folk dance originated when forefathers of the Kukis were living in Chin Hills in Burma (Myanmar) and is performed after a war victory or in honour of a hunter who brought home a big game. The Garo tribe presented to the crowd a folk song, ‘Dim Dim Chong’ which is performed by both girls and boys during Wangala, a post harvest festival of the Garos.
Badey Badey Sow Low-o, a folk song performed by the Pochury tribe is sung during the feast, marking the happy occasion of cementing relationship with neighbouring villages. The Khiamniungan cultural troupe performed Jamhang, an indoor dance which is hosted by a well to do prominent person from the village who wants to share his blessings and wealth with the people during feast of merit. Shem Shupu, a ritual, performed by the Phom tribe takes place during ‘Lannyang Shem,’ log drum pulling event, with the people praising the log drum saying ‘’May your echoes be heard to all humanity and may we all prosper under your echoes.’’ ‘Eloe loroe tona khyingroe rumphi khen,’ performed by the Lotha tribe is a processional song and dance by young males and females who dance and sing across the village, feasting on rice beer prepared by the village priest during the month of October.
A traditional sacrificial ritual, ‘Oü Yok Pe’ was performed by the Konyak tribe in which, they sacrifice animals and vegetables to please the gods for abundant blessings. This ritual is usually done right after the Aoleang festival. The Sumi tribe performed a farewell song, ‘Ashekha Kikini Lejole’ which is sung at the end of any big festival or ceremony; it is a song of thanksgiving also.
The Ao cultural troupe presented to the audience a drama, ‘Longmah Jenshir Otsu’ which depicts the life of Longmah villagers during an extraordinary situation when the village produce thirty rich men who decide to offer the feast of merit. Also, the Rengma cultural troupe presented Tefu Kejen (Cotton spinning), the Kachari tribe performed Boi Jabon, the Angami tribe presented Lave-o and the Chakhesang cultural troupe presented a performance, marking the Sükrünye festival.
