Phek, June 8 (MExN): Khezhakeno village, the ancestral home of the Nagas, under Phek district of Nagaland got its first Tribal Museum on June 7 which was formally declared open by Additional Deputy Commission (ADC) of Pfutsero, Zeneikhonuo Vimero.
The museum is funded by Ministry of Culture, Government of India and constructed by Charity Welfare Society (CWS), Khezhakeno.
“It is a significant day for Pfutsero sub-division because of the opening an ancestral museum,” said ADC Pfutsero Zeneikhonuo in her speech during the inaugural programme. She also said that CWS has become the ambassadors of the division for their initiatives in constructing the museum to showcase the cultural heritage and tradition of the people of the area. She said that visiting the village itself will be like pilgrimage besides being able to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cheda lake and now the tribal museum.
Expressing hope that the workmanship and the efforts in collecting the artifacts would remind about the tradition and culture of the Naga forefathers, she aspired that the museum will also be a centre for traditional education.
CWS chairman Ezekiel Koza while giving the brief report of the newly constructed Museum said the proposal for the tribal museum started with a motive to preserve the rich cultural and traditional artifacts the Chakhesang in particular and the Nagas in general as the age old materials of the forefathers are vanishing or destroyed with the coming of Christianity to Nagaland.
He also said that Khezhakeno village being the origin and ancestral home of the Nagas, CWS felt the necessity to construct the museum at the present site foreseeing the increasing visitors at Chida resort.
He informed that the construction started in December 2017 and was completed in April this year.
Though the museum is constructed by CWS but in near future it will belong to our village, he said while appealing all to contribute and preserve the artifacts of the forefathers for the generations to witness.
Khezhakeno Village Council chairman, S Kepfelhou Ladu in his short speech lauded the hardwork of CWS in bringing the museum for the village.
Representatives from various societies undertaking museum construction in other parts of the State were also present during the inaugural programme. Chaired by Joshua Koza, the programme commenced with Senior Pastor of Khezhakeno Baptist Church, M Khupo Koza pronouncing invocation while folk song was presented by K Mechimvu Pizou & friends.
