Dimapur, December 21 (MExN): The Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) has appealed the Dimapur citizens to come and participate in the Christmas ‘Marching Bands’ on December 23.
The Merangkongtsur Telongjem Dimapur (MTD) is schedule to organise the event from 7AM, beginning from ‘Old NST Dimapur and back via Flyover, Bata garali, Plaza Police Point.’
In this connection, a press release from the DAYO requested members of the Ao community as well as all Naga and non-Naga communities to come and participate in the event to show solidarity and usher in a new culture joyful living during the Christmas season.
Such solidarity would help in making such event a regular affair in the future, it said.
According to the DAYO, not long after the advent of Christianity, Merangkong citizens have “adopted a unique tradition of heralding the birth of the King of Kings with carols emanating from different wards of the village led by Marching Bands in the early morning of December 25.”
Thereafter, they merge at the village square culminating in celebrations with pomp and gaiety, it said.
The MTD is organising the event led by its own marching bands in commemoration of 150 years of advent of Christianity in Nagaland, it added.
“For ages we have seen religious and other processions being organised by various communities and religions in the main streets of Dimapur. This is for the first time that a Christmas procession of such magnitude is being organised in a city of our own. This practice needs to be encouraged,” DAYO added.
