Leaders exchange spears as a sign of friendship treaty between Kohima Village and Tuensang Village at the Kohima Village Council Hall on November 30. (Morung Photo)
Kohima Village-Tuensang Village friendship treaty a call for Naga unity
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | November 30
In a heartening demonstration of unity and brother-hood, the Kohima village and Tuensang village on Wednesday came together and made a friendship pledge between them by exchanging spears, which in Naga tradition is a symbolic representation of camaraderie-ship.
“I believe this is the will of God Almighty that we stand together as friends and brothers to act as role model in fostering unity among Naga societies and tribes,” said Kohima Village Council chairman Medoselhou Keretsii at the Friendship Foundation Day celebration between Kohima village and Tuensang village held at Kohima Village Council Hall today.
“From today onward, let this be a good bridge for us and it is not only between our two villages but between the Angami tribe and Chang tribe,” said H. Wongto, president Tuensang village. He added that the “treaty alliance stand for good friendship, a means to rescue each other, and not to shed of blood among us. It will be firm declaration that there exists a mutual peace of mind between us from today.”
Vipralhou Kesiezie of Kohima village said that the friendship foundation day between the two is timely, as the present Naga society unfortunately remains badly divided.
Stating that Naga society is divided by divisive forces, tribalism, groupism, he said, “Today the biggest challenge for the Naga society is to rise against the divisive forces which have posed as the biggest threat to the unity and survival of Naga society.”
He believed that such a friendship treaty between the two should work as an agent to create understanding, tolerance, forgiveness and unity of the Naga society.”
Thepfulhouvi Solo said the day was of great importance as the people of two village entered into a perpetual friendship, goodwill and mutual respect for each other.
“This is not specifically a political treaty or agreement but a general understanding of goodwill friendship and honour, all the coming generations of the people of two villages will have each other as traditional kith and kin and help each other in times of needs,” Solo said.
Expressing optimism that the friendship treaty will go a long way for the benefit of the younger generation to live together in mutual understanding, N. Yemjong, GB from Tuensang village said, “Friendship treaty will convey a strong message of brotherhood to the rest of the fellow Nagas.”
Pheluopfhelie Kesiezie of Kohima village also stressed on the need to strengthen the social capital, which, he said, will act in strengthening Naga unity.
