UNGMA (MOKOKCHUNG), AUGUST 3: THE festive spirit of Tsungremmong festival filled the Babu Tzübu amphitheatre at Ungma village, under Mokokchung district, when children added their brand of color to the Ao Nagaland festival during the 31st Longrok Senden Ungma cultural competition on Monday evening.
The children were handsomely dressed in traditional finery and adorned in indigenous jewelry. They took the stage one after other performing folk songs and rhythmic dances for the crowd that in turn responded with cheers.
The competition was organized by a community organization in the village, the Longrok Senden of Ungma. Members of nine clubs in Ungma village participated in the event. The dances preformed by the children denoted the meaning of the Tsungremmong—thanksgiving to the Almighty for bountiful crops.
After a thorough scrutiny from the judges, namely Limayanger Tatar, Onentiba Tatar and Rarenbenba Tatar, the group representing Oriental Club was adjudged the winner of the competition. The group secured a a grand total of 155 points while two clubs, the Young Naga Club and the Longtrok Senden bagged the runners-ups prized with points of 154 each.
Earlier in the program, the education secretary of the Naga Students’ Federation, Imtiwapang, said in his short speech that Ungma village had been blessed with a ‘great sense of folklore, customs and traditions’ that have been imparted to the younger generation and from generation to generation.
The students’ leader also said that ‘We are fortunate to have this unique culture which identifies us and it is our responsibility to preserve them.’ He encouraged the young to ‘expose the rich tradition and customs to the world outside.’
The NSF leader also called upon the people to strive. The village has produced many eminent leaders who exhibited leadership and gave distinguished services to the community and to the Naga people in general. They have great expectations from Ungma village, he said.
The evening also saw an entertainment segment during which performers entertained the community with various cultural performances; folk songs and dance performances from the Watemdong Club, the Oriental Club, and Rentinungla and Sendongkala.
It was indeed a night that revisited the delightful times of the Naga forefather’s rich eras.
Earlier in the day, Tsungremmong, the premier festival of the Ao Naga community, was celebrated with much pomp and gaiety at Soyim Aonglenden at Ungma village. The event was organized by the Impang Kosasanger Pusu Menden.
The deputy speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, I Imtikumzuk Longkumer, who was the guest of honor for the program said in his address that people who do not have culture have no identity ‘to indicate who they were and from where they come.’
Claiming Ungma to be the ‘nerve centre of the Ao culture and traditions,’ the politician called upon the people of the village to rejuvenate the community traditions and to safeguard the heritage of their forefathers.
Also, the deputy speaker suggested that the Ungma village Council establish a ‘cultural preservation center’ in the village from which talented youths irrespective of villages can learn traditional dances, music, customs and traditions of the Ao community. If such a center was established, it would not only impart knowledge but also transform culture into industry out of which youths can have livelihood.
On political matters, Longkumer appealed to the people of Ungma to support the NPF led government under the leaderships of president Dr. Shürhozelie and Chief Minister TR Zeliang ‘to move along with the rest of the Nagas.’
As the Ao community celebrates Tsüngremmong, a festival of thanksgiving, Akhoya village in Mokokchung district, also celebrated the festival with participants and invitees from neighboring villages on Tuesday. Member of the Legislative Assembly S Pangnyu was the chief guest of the program.
Greeting the people on the occasion, S Pangnyu urged the Naga youth and students to think about ‘what they could do for better Nagaland instead of keep on asking Nagaland for all their needs.’
“We have lost a couple of generations in our society who succumbed to the temptation of drugs in the recent past. It’s a challenging time for upcoming younger generation to overcome this kind of social menace and try to rebuild the society,” said Pangnyu in his address.
The politician also encouraged the people to build and maintain better inter-village relations and cooperate with the government for development in the state. He acknowledged the sacrifice and contributions of Akhoya village in particular and the Ao community as a whole ‘in bringing Christianity and education to eastern parts of Nagaland.
S Pangnyu happens to be a son of the first Christian family in Yachem village under Longleng district.
The Tsüngremmong festival in the village was organized by the Akhoya Students’ Union in commemoration of the organization’s platinum jubilee this year.
The celebration was marked by folk dances and songs, traditional sports and Ao Naga nursery rhymes performed by various students’ unions such as the Yaongyimsen Students’ Union, Unger Students’ Union, Akholongshi Club Akhoya, Kosalatsür, Government Middle School students and a cultural troupe from the Akhoya Union of Changtongya town, and Dimapur and Mokokchung.
Akangnungsang Jamir, member of the village’s council, spoke about the significance of Tsüngremmong festival.
A huge number of invitees including government officials and public leaders attended the celebrations to share in the joy of Tsüngremmong feast with the citizens of the host village.
