Dimapur, July 31 (MExN): The Chang community in Dimapur on Friday converged at ‘The Oasis’, at Nyamo Colony, to observe the ‘Naknyulem’ festival, a celebration of the victory of light over darkness. Chairman of the Dimapur Municipal Council, Khekaho Assumi, was also present on the occasion.
“It is important to encourage and support traditional festivals to foster unity in our society,” said the DMC chairman in his speech as chief guest. He said that without oneness and unity no civilisation can progress or survive. “To succeed above all else”, he said, “the society should be united in cause and spirit since nobody can make it alone”. Exhorting the Chang community to not consider themselves as “minority”, Assumi especially called upon the youths to seize whatever opportunity comes their way and make best use of it, explaining that “it is our (the youths’) time”.
“If you have the determination, you can change the circumstances”, he encouraged.
Earlier, president of the GB Union of Tuensang, Y Beso Chejing, spoke on the significance of ‘Naknyulem’. The celebratory function culminated with a grand feast and display of traditional games and sports.
The festival is unique in the sense that women play a pivotal role in its observance. In the olden days, women partook in soothsaying and prophesying through rituals. Another interesting feature of this festival is that there is no dancing and singing; rather, despite all the fun and cheerfulness associated with its observance, it is signified by the rituals observed.
According to Chang legend, once the whole world was suddenly covered with darkness – ‘Nakshou Naknyu’, in Chang dialect – catching the people unawares. In order to overcome the darkness, the legend says, the people started beating log drums hoping the darkness would go away. It is believed that the beating of the log drums brought back light. Hence, to observe the victory, the forefathers resolved to invoke the heavenly gods by celebrating the festival signifying the “the defeat of darkness”. Today it is celebrated every year in the month of July during the new moon.
