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KOHIMA — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang on Tuesday reaffirmed their brotherhood ties as the Mera, Rau and Sechü clans, to which they belonged, held their 14th meet at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
Over two thousand members of the three clans from 27 villages in four districts including Peren, Kohima, Chümoukedima and Phek, turned up for the event.
Addressing the meet, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (Sechü) said that over the years, the three clans, though from the same family tree and ancestry, dispersed and lived as different tribes in different places and villages.
But such a gathering serves as a beacon of unity and a reminder that despite being miles apart, brotherhood holds significant value, Rio said, adding that family is the first institution in life.
He urged for further strengthening of brotherhood ties among the three clans.
Emphasising the importance of appreciating history and ancestry, the chief minister told the gathering to continue sharing the joy and happiness, while also working for the welfare of Nagaland as a whole.
He further encouraged the clans to have common property through which they could generate income and be financially stable.
Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang (Rau), in his address, said the brotherhood must be kept alive not only for the present but for the unity of the younger generation to progress together.
He urged the three clans to come together and unite their hearts in every way possible to strengthen unity and brotherhood and progress.
Zeliang was of the view that if further research, assisted by modern technology is carried out, some more clans from other tribes like Chakhesang and Rengma might have a common migration point - Kigwema village - as the three clans.
He stressed on the need for more research to discover more brothers within Teyimia family and elsewhere among the Nagas.
The deputy CM however maintained that the three-clan brotherhood is linked by blood relationship unlike some other organisations.
He also suggested that in future gathering of the clans, women should be invited as they can also enrich such meetings in various aspects.
"We can’t undermine the intellect of women in today’s world," he added.
Speaking about the family genealogy, Zeliang he said that out of the seven brothers living in Kigwema village, two of them (Mera and Rau) migrated to other Naga areas.
The chairman of the three clans, Rüüngutuo (Sechü) said the brotherhood programme among Mera, Rau and Sechü clans was first started in the year 1942 at Phesama village. This was followed by different villages hosting the programme over the years.
He called upon the gathering to uphold the brotherhood in the days to come, while also pointing out the importance of collecting oral stories of the past.
Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, also spoke at the event. New office bearers of the brotherhood for the next five-year tenure were also announced. Other highlights included presentation of folk songs and dances, prayers and short speeches from representatives of clans and hosting villages (Kigwema and Phesama).
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