Rio stresses on preserving tradition and culture
Correspondent
TSEMINYU, NOVEMBER 28
THE Rengma community today celebrated their premier festival - Ngada with traditional fervor, pomp and gusto at Agonshü in Tseminyu sub-division Kohima district under the aegis of Rengma Hoho and hosted by State Assembly Deputy Speaker Levi Rengma.Gracing the festival as the chief guest, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended greetings and best wishes on the occasion while also calling upon Nagas to strive towards preserving the Naga culture and tradition so that the ancestral identity of the Naga people is upheld.
“Uphold the tradition and culture handed over by the forefathers and ancestors,” Rio said.
He said even if health and wealth is lost, it can be regained but if one’s identity is lost everything is lost.
Expressing fear that adopting or following other’s tradition would lead to forfeiting own traditional identity, he challenged that the tradition and culture of forefathers should not be forgotten.
He also justified that celebrating traditional festival should not be considered as a clash against the Christian doctrine but it is the only means to pass on the tradition and culture to the future generation.
Rio opined that the post harvest festival is a reminder of hardworking ancestors who then had every reason to celebrate However, he lamented that Nagas today lack work culture and called upon everyone to sweat and earn to celebrate instead of borrowing or asking from others during festivals.
“We have to follow the message of hard-work from our forefathers,” he challenged.
He also reminded that the state government, in order to promote and preserve the unique identity of Nagas initiated the ‘Road Show cum Festival’ where each district showcased the traditional games, dances, practices, food etc.
Rio expressed happiness in being part of Ngada and extended greetings on behalf of the state government while also hoping that the celebrations would bring about peace and unity to continue the ensuing Hornbill and Christmas festival joyfully throughout the state.
Host of the festival and Deputy Speaker NLA Levi Rengma also extended Ngada greetings and welcomed the guest.
Dwelling on the significance of the festival, Principal Tetseo College, Dr. BS Lorin said Ngada represents the totality of life and abundance of wealth and blessings..
The Rengma Hoho president Sawathang Kez Seb, delivered the welcome address.
A galaxy of VIPs including NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, ministers, parliamentary secretaries, bureaucrats and chairmen of neighbouring villages joined in the celebrations.
Executive secretary CRBC, Rev. Tenga Seb pronounced invocation while traditional blessing was invoked by Nshenthong Magh.
Cultural exhibition by various troupes and Ngada feast marked the celebrations.
