Morung Express News
Mokokchung | May 2
Perhaps the grandest of all Moatsü celebrations ever, the Ao Nagas celebrated their premier festival here today organized by the apex body of the community, Ao Senden with much grandeur and gaiety. The grand celebration was regarded by many commentators to be “a first of its kind” where a Naga community celebrated its premier festival with another Naga community as the Angami Nagas joined the Ao Nagas in celebrating the Moatsü festival today.
Reportedly more than 1200 Angami delegates from Kohima and Dimapur and other areas joined in the celebrations at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung with the chief minister of Nagaland, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu as chief guest and president of Angami Public Organization, Dr. Vilhusa Seleyi as guest of honour.
President of Ao Senden, C.Angang Jamir brandishing the ceremonial shield and spear presented by Dr. Vilhusa Seleyi, President of APO. The shield and spear were presented in a traditional sacrosanct manner as a symbolic gesture of fostering mutual ties and goodwill between the Ao and Angami communities as part of Moatsümung 2017.
The celebrations also marked the ‘forging of mutual ties and goodwill’ among the two Naga communities, symbolised by the APO presenting a shield and a spear to Ao Senden. As part of the celebrations, cultural troupes from Langpangkong Tzukong Mungdang, Ongpangkong Mungdang, Asetkong Mungdang and Jangpetkong Mungdang performed various traditional items, reciprocated by the cultural presentations from Northern Angami Public Organization, Southern Angami Public Organization and Western Angami Public Organization.
Moatsü greetings were delivered by Imkong L Imchen, Nagaland minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Temjen Toy IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary & Finance Commissioner of Nagaland, GK Zhimomi on behalf of Central Nagaland Tribers Organization, Mongko Chang, vice president of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization and Moachila, president of Watsü Mungdang.
Other highlights of the day included a special presentation by folk music group Psalmodic Ensemble, a cultural display by Kosasanger Salokum Roko, Ungma, a folk song by Aoli Dobashi and a tug-of-war by All Wards Union Mokokchung. The celebrations culminated with a mass feast hosted by Ao Senden.
