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Dimapur, Jan. 11 (EMN): A five-day Poanglum Hornbill Festival, a major festival of the Chang community, was inaugurated at Parade Ground in Tuensang town on January 11 on the theme “Jak-Xa” (Rediscovering our sustenance). The festival is being organised by Chang Khulei Setshang (Chang Tribal Hoho) in collaboration with the government of Nagaland and Tourism department.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Kejong Chang, a 97-year old and Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, stated that the changes of Tuensang town should serve as a testimony for the rest of the Chang community and also set an example for neighbouring communities. He noted that many people leave their villages by abandoning traditional means of livelihood and become a nuisance to the public when they fail to acquire adequate living standards in urban areas, stated a DIPR report.
“We need a revival in such social migrations; we need to focus on traditional ways of living in villages or we shall focus strictly on education and technical sectors so that there will be social balance in itself,” he said.
Kamchu Chang, oldest GB of Tuensang town, highlighted the significance of Poanglum festival. According to him, Poanglum is a festival of making friendship and maintaining old friendship circle and also to make treaties with neighbouring communities and villages. He added that the forefathers celebrated Poanglum meaningfully with many good values, which could be applied in daily living.
S Chubasangla Chang stated that women folk, in the past decades, were not given privileges to partake in social gatherings and decision making. She, however, stated conditions have changed for the better.
Poanglum celebration was more of guests from neighbouring villages with sharing of foods which depicted the respect, love and cordial relationship amongst the communities and villages, she said adding trade used to be an important part of the celebration in the form of barter which signified the importance of trade and entrepreneurship.
The inaugural prayer was said by Rev. Achu Chang, CBLT executive secretary, while heralding of the festival was performed by Nungsanglemba Chang, president of CKS. The ‘Vision of scion’ was performed by Chongma Mongko, a 16-year old council chairman of Sochum Tuensang Village, while ‘Echoes of the hills’ was performed by Yungphaang youth. It was followed by Jak-Xa food feast and a night carnival.
Meanwhile, the Tuensang superintendent of police (SP), Vishal Chauhan, inaugurated the stalls during the Poanglum Hornbill festival 2022 at Tuensang Parade Ground on January 11. The Chang Khuile Setshang has constructed 75 stalls and allocated to the villages to sell traditional items and to encourage the young entrepreneurs.