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MERIEMA — Nagaland University Students' Union Kohima Campus (NUSU-KC) in Meriema kicked off its 19th Zona Fest on Thursday on the theme "Commemorate the past: unleash the imagination."
The event saw various competitions showcasing the rich cultural and traditional practices of the Nagas.
In the men's war cry competition, Putsu P from the Master of Business Administration (MBA) department clinched the first position title, while
Akürhothsüsie Ngouri from the Commerce department secured the second position.
In the men's top spinning competition, Heihusibe from the MBA department claimed the first position, while Mongko Solomon from the Commerce department securing the second position.
In the women's yarn rolling competition, Sentibenla from the MBA department won the first position, while Weri-u Lohe from the Linguistics department secured the second position.
In the women's snail-eating competition, Kevidenuo from the MBA department won the first position, while Kungsiliu from the Geology department secured the second position.
Students from the Linguistics, Hindi and English departments showcased a cultural mosaic, while the English and Geology departments mesmerised the audience with folk tales.
Students from the Education and Commerce departments enthralled the crowd with folk dances and others representing various tribes dazzled with a modern ethnic show.
Visitors were treated to a feast for the eyes and taste buds with displays of diverse indigenous foods from different tribes.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu, indigenous feminist poet and educator, emphasised the importance of commemorating the past to gain wisdom from their ancestors and indigenous cultures.
Keditsu urged the need to research and document the past to understand human consciousness and cultural evolution adding that by doing so one could uncover hidden truths and untold stories that have been silenced by time.
She highlighted the significance of indigenous wisdom, which offers valuable insights into sustainable living, communal resilience and spiritual interconnectedness while emphasising the need to honour the age-old relationships between humans and nature, which have been disrupted by modernity.
She encouraged using one's imagination to interpret and translate their past into a renewed relevance for the present, adding that by rediscovering indigenous wisdom, they can reclaim narratives that have been silenced and distorted by dominant forces.
She called for a radical re-imagining of their relationship with the natural world, based on reciprocity, reverence and respect and urged the audience to use their education and research skills to contribute to communal improvement.
She encouraged the need to listen to the needs and aspirations of their elders and communities and to embrace their obligations to their people.
Nunese Sale, proprietor of Nune's Construction and president of Vision Trinity Club, emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting Nagaland's rich culture and identity, both within the state and beyond.
Sale shared his personal passion for collecting traditional shawls while highlighting the role that individuals can play in promoting culture through various forms, such as singing, art, music etc.
He stressed on the importance of setting goals and dreams by making a comparison to trees that require nurturing and care to grow and bear fruit and encouraged the students to persevere through challenges and failures saying that the experiences could lead to valuable lessons and ultimately contribute to success.
Sale underscored the need for unity and diversity, highlighting the importance of embracing different perspectives and working together to bring about positive change.
A song was presented by Lulu Vadeo, while a folksong was performed by MBA and Centre for Naga Tribal Languages (CNTL) departments.
On Friday, Avinuo Kire, author and poet, would attend the literary day which would be marked by competitions in quiz, debate, spin a yarn, extempore speech.