Dr Andrew Ahoto Sema, founder and chairman, Livingstone Foundation Hr Sec School, Rev Hojevi Kappo, founder and director of Nagagenous and others at the 4th edition of Chengu festival was held at Sukhai village, Zunheboto.
ZUNHEBOTO, DECEMBER 15 (MExN): The 4th edition of Chengu festival was held at Sukhai village with Dr Andrew Ahoto Sema, founder and chairman, Livingstone Foundation Hr Sec School as the special guest. The festival was organised by Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) comprising the three villages of Kivikhu, Ghukhuyi and Sukhai with Teri, VNV Advisory, GIZ, Nagaland Tourism Department as sponsors and event partners.
In his speech, Dr Andrew Ahoto Sema applauded TVBCLN and partners for the CCA initiative. He said Nagas are blessed with rich resources and that it is upto us on how we utilise it. He lamented that our greed has gotten the best of us and though nature has so much to give to us, we are not able to prioritize our needs with random use of resources and that we humans are jeopardising our environment. He encouraged TVBCLN to continue the good work and hoped that there will be more international funding to take up more conservation activities.
Rev Hojevi Kappo, founder and director of Nagagenous spoke on the theme ‘our culture our identity’ and encouraged the gathering to go back to our roots and that our folk songs, folklores, our food, dress identifies us as who we are. He further said that we are fast losing our culture due to westernization and encouraged that gathering to revive even the traditional games, build house with a traditional touch and that the stories of our forefathers should be told to the young generation by the elders.
Earlier in the program, introduction on carbon finance projects in CCA’s of Zunheboto district was presented by representatives from Teri and VNV Advisory. The festival was marked with various competition which include storytelling, poem reading, winnowing, chicken coop making and traditional fire making competition and special appearance by children cultural club, Sukhai.
Later in the evening, extravaganza night was organised with Khekaho Aye, Senior Treasury Officer, Dimapur as the special guest. The extravaganza night saw various local artists taking the stage and enthralling the crowd through songs and dances.
