Mokokchung, May 1 (DIPR): Moatsu the Premier Festival of the Ao community in Nagaland was celebrated in Mokokchung on May 1. Coinciding with the Moatsu festival, the National Level Folk Dance & Music Festival on “Discover North East” being organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) and Mokokchung District Art & Culture Council (MDACC) and Mokokchung District Administration will be held from May 1 to 3, where artistes from different parts of the country will be participating.
Delivering the welcome speech, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, Murohu Chotso, thanked the Dancing troupe from outside the State for participating in the celebration of Moatsu festival. Acknowledging the initiatives taken by the NEZCC in organizing the festival, the Deputy Commissioner said that such an event gives an opportunity to share different culture and to promote brotherhood among the community.
President Ao Senden, Dr. Sangyu Yaden, who delivered the Moatsu greetings, maintained that culture is the back bone of any existing society, saying that it helps to realize and understand what we are, who we are and what we want to be. Sangyu also said that for the Nagas it is the culture that brings people together and gives hope for posterity.
Director, NEZCC, Lipokmar Tsudir in his speech thanked the MDACC and the District Administration for their participation and efforts made in organizing the festival. He also said that ‘for too long we have failed in understanding our rich culture’, and called upon the youth to wake up and realize the opportunity ahead of them by upholding the rich culture.
Other highlights of the programme included, cultural items from Longsa Cultural Club and Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) while cultural dances were presented by United Suyim Club, Ungma, Sumi Settsu, Sangtam Union Mokokchung, Chang Union Mokokchung and Zeliang Folk song from Zeliang Community Mokokchung. The three Day festival included Fusion Concert on May 2 and National Cultural Show on May 3 at Imkongmeren Sports Complex.
