[dropcap]I[/dropcap] am young, I am ignorant; with years passing by, I will not remain forever young but probably I will remain somehow ignorant. I don’t know much about cultures and traditions. But I know what is friendship, what is brotherhood. On the 15th and 16th of this November, the Pfütseromi people came to Khonoma to strengthen our traditional friendship and brotherhood with all their magnificence. They came in their traditions ululating, yodelling mightily and boisterously leaded by the grand Apu Kharü Ritse, their Village Chairman. Young men ready to follow him and obey him. I learned and admired so much from listening and observing this man. They came with all their bureaucrats, retired bureaucrats and ex-ministers. They came humble and prudent with large hearts. It was so gracious of them to come.My Khel the Thevoma khel of Khonoma hosted them, they had returned to strengthen and re-affirm our friendship, our brotherhood that was handed down to us by our forefathers, because of which our khel had gone to their village last April. They exalted my khel, my village. It was a privilege to be a host when your friends, your brethrens came visiting to renew, re-affirmed that relationship.
The splendour and spectacle that they have displayed, I have only seen once in my lifetime, when the Porbami brethrens came for the same purpose some few years ago. I was a young teenage boy then. I heard we have this kind of relationship with many other villages. On the 16th they went back in their glory, strengthening our brotherhood and friendship. I retrospect myself later, how much Naga society would have been better; if this kind of relationship we have with the Porbami, the Pfütseromi and many others were to be there in all Naga society. I have only this wish for the Naga society, which is: ‘We the Nagas should value life because by valuing life; we value brotherhood and we value friendship, because with life we can feel and appreciate every creation of God.’
Pfütseromi Mi Kakrü Weshe rü Woü!
Hai Di Hie Hü Si To Cie!
Dr. Petevilie Chasie
Khonoma Village
