Zeliang community celebrates Lamsimnyi-cum-Chaga Gadi at Toulazouma

DIMAPUR — The Lamsimnyi-cum-Chaga Gadi 2025 festival of the Zeliang community was organised by the Zeliang People’s Organisation, Chümoukedima, on the theme “Rekindling bonds and blessings” at Nsarangbe Ki, Toulazouma, on Friday.

According to an update, the festival was hosted by Pausui Zeliang, former director of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).

During the festival, the menfolk began the celebration with traditional howling (Nrwa/Megubu), while an elder made a new fire (Mi-teu/Chemi-melepbu) in the traditional manner. Traditionally, this was done by extinguishing the old fire in the hearths and lighting a new one to mark a new phase in the community’s life.

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Pausui, on the occasion, spoke on the significance of Lamsimnyi and Chaga Gadi, highlighting that the festivals reflect God’s abundant blessings for the community. He added that Lamsimnyi was declared a restricted holiday as early as 1966 when S C Deb, then deputy commissioner of Kohima, attended the festival as the chief guest at Benreu village on October 31.

Zandi Domta, president of the Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation (NZPO), also attended the celebration and extended greetings to the Zeliang community. The Zeliang Welfare Society, Toulazouma, presented a folk dance, while Lesehu Meru, programme manager, CASA NE-India, pronounced blessings for the community.

Later in the afternoon, special events such as Kwaksui/Cheriutaubu, folk dances, folk songs, and traditional games were held. The young men and boys participated in chugi/tetiu (shot put), heram/tetun (high jump), hezwa/tezong (long jump), hebei nrah renia/chapaipum nphapbu (bamboo pole climbing), and heria resutbe/buiriang asutbu (tug of war).

The festival was also attended by community leaders residing in Dimapur and Chümoukedima, as well as government officers, social workers, and various dignitaries.

Lamsimnyi and Chaga Gadi were traditionally celebrated by the Zeliang community during the last week of October or early November, separately depending on the appearance of the moon. The government later fixed October 30 and 31 as restricted holidays for the celebrations.