Moatsu festival: Time to rekindle ancestral friendship

[caption id="attachment_246791" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Ao Naga women perform a traditional weaving at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.(EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption] Our Correspondent Chuchuyimlang (Mokokchung), May 1 (EMN): Moatsu, the premier festival of the Ao Naga tribe, was celebrated across Mokokchung district on Wednesday. Moatsu signifies people beckoning God’s presence so that their hard work is rewarded and accepted in the form of “bountiful harvest.” The festival brings good tidings to the land and the lives of the people. The festival season is considered as a special time to initiate and forge new relationships, and rekindle ancestral friendship with other villages and tribes. [caption id="attachment_246790" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Ao Naga kids performs a cultural dance at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption] There was much merrymaking and revelry in the Anu Mai Amphitheatre at Chuchuyimlang village on Wednesday as several Naga tribes, including Chang, Phom and Sangtam; people from neighbouring villages and cultural troupes from Assam joined the celebration by presenting diverse cultural dances and festive songs. Lieutenant General (Retired) SM Mehta, Chief Executive Officer, The Hans Foundation, New Delhi graced the occasion as the Chief Invitee. In his speech, Mehta urged the people of Nagaland to preserve and promote their culture and brotherhood to the world. He said it is important to preserve the culture and its heritage as well as learn the values enshrined in one’s own culture. The retired officer also advised the people to be progressive. “Change is very essential but do not forget your culture,” he asserted. He also said The Hans Foundation is one of the biggest charity groups in the country which is working in all Indian states with a mission- ‘all human are equal and they have right to live in equity.’ [caption id="attachment_246789" align="aligncenter" width="565"] An Ao Naga man blow a Buffalo horn at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday,May 1, 2019. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption] Mehta informed that the foundation work in four core areas that are intertwined –health, education, disability and livelihood with prime focus on women and children. In Nagaland too, he said the foundation has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Nagaland to work across the State for prosperity and bring livelihood, health and education to the people. [caption id="attachment_246793" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Ao Naga kids perform a cultural dance at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption] The celebration also witnessed traditional craft competition and inauguration of exhibition on indigenous knowledge, traditional skill and innovation by the chief invitee. On learning that Chuchuyimlang villagers face water scarcity during dry season, Mehta proposed to initiate a scheme through The Hans Foundation to solve the problem. [caption id="attachment_246788" align="aligncenter" width="565"] A member from Chang tribe yell at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_246792" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Ao Naga performs a dance at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_246790" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Ao Naga kids performs a cultural dance at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_246793" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Ao Naga kids performs a cultural dance at the Moatsü festival, post seed sowing festival at Chuchuyimlang, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption]