Zhaleo Rio and Kuzholuzo Nienu, along with others at the festival.
(EM Images)
KOHIMA — Naga People’s Front (NPF) leader and
MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on Monday said that Nagas have nothing to do with
‘settlement or solution,’ stating that they rather need to demand sovereignty
from the government of India.
Addressing a crowd celebrating Thuni festival at Zhavame
village in Phek district, the legislator maintained that Nagas are not for
settlement and solutions.
A group of men shoving down a pile of firewood, which will
subsequently be used for a bonfire at the Thuni festival celebration. (EM
Images)
A
glimpse of the first day of the Thuni festival at Zhavame village on Monday.
(EM Images)
“Our forefathers have died and laid down their lives for
sovereignty, and therefore, we must go back and demand sovereignty from the
government of India,” he asserted.
Nienu expressed belief that if Nagas strengthen their
brotherhood, then they would surely “achieve sovereignty.”.
Further, he underscored the importance of the Chakhesang
community maintaining accountability and transparency in all of their dealings.
Without these qualities, he warned, the unity of the tribe will be under
threat.
He asserted that Naga traditions and customs are not just
about songs and dances but also about honesty and hard work. “We have sidelined
our true tradition, and to uphold the tradition, we have to go back to our
roots,” he reminded.
Also speaking at the programme, Advisor for Urban
Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, reminded Naga youths to be
attached to their roots and preserve their culture.
According to him, those who know their roots are bound to
become good leaders with experience and can speak about their culture and
tradition.
“If you are not involved in village community, you will not
have anything to tell to others,” he said.
The NDPP legislator stressed the importance of agriculture
in the state, citing that every Naga tribe has its own main festival, and all
those festivals are associated with agriculture or farming.
Zhaleo asserted that there is a need to preserve Naga
culture, “but without the participation of the youths, the rich cultural
heritage will die a natural death.”
Further, he underscored the value of the dignity of labour
and lamented that ‘children raised in urban settings do not understand the
dignity of labour.’ He said that there is an unemployment issue in the state
today because they want to work only in the government sector.
The advisor highlighted that Nagaland government is focusing
on entrepreneurship and skill training so that the youths can have gainful
employment. He stressed that there is a need to revive the dignity of labour
among the youths today.
President of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) Medovi Rhi,
in his greetings, said that the festival is a moment for self-evaluation and a
time to realign oneself with the values the forefathers have cherished.
“True celebration is not about extravagance or fleeting
trends. It is about understanding, embracing, and practicing the values that
lie at the heart of culture,” he said, adding that in the name of religion, “we
must not lose our tradition or compromise our cultural identity.”
“Instead let us commit to respecting both, ensuring that
neither overshadows the other,” he said.
Thuni, a festival of new harvest, was organised by the
Chakhesang People Organisation (CPO) in collaboration with the Tourism
department.
The two-day festival is hosted by Razeba Public
Organisation. The Thuni festival is celebrated by the Chakhesang tribe,
predominantly by the people of the Razeba Range in Phek district. 'Thu'
literally means 'new' or 'fresh,' and 'ni' stands for festival.
A
glimpse of the first day of the Thuni festival at Zhavame village on Monday.
(EM Images)