Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and others during Sekrenyi celebration on February 26 at Kisama. (Morung photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 26
A two day long Sekrenyi-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival 2025 organised by Angami Public Organization (APO) culminated today at Kisama near Kohima with Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio as the chief host.
Addressing the gathering, Rio said that the state government has been promoting tribal festivals to preserve and promote the rich culture and traditions of the Nagas.
He commended the various tribal Hohos for celebrating their respective tribal festivals throughout the year.
Rio informed that the construction of Konyak Heritage Complex is going on full swing and scheduled to open by the first week of April to coincide with Aoleang festival.
With the arrival of Christianity in Nagaland, Rio said the ancient rituals associated with the tribal festivals are no longer practiced by the people.
Yet, we have preserved and still observing the festivals, upholding the ancestral traditions and fostering a sense of continuity and belonging, he said.
Rio maintained that the celebration of the festivals not only contributes towards preservation and promotion of the rich culture and traditions but it brings people together and build friendship. He also stressed on the need to document traditional songs and dances, dresses and cuisines to strengthen the authenticity of the rich culture and traditions of the Nagas.
Nagas have all come from an agrarian society and therefore basing on that we have different festivals, he said. Sekrenyi is a little different since it is more a festival of sanctification of our body and soul for a healthy and prosperous life, he said.
The Chief Minister said that though our ancestors had not accessed to formal education in the past, they possessed immense wisdom and widely practice agriculture for livelihood and they celebrated the festival through hard working culture.
In this, he stressed on the need to introspect and retrospect and celebrate the festival based on hard earned through sweat. Honesty and truthfulness should be upheld in the society, he said.
Sharing Sekrenyi greetings, APO president Theja-o Vihienuo said that this year, the Angamis are much
more happy with the North East Christian University (NECU) Dimapur conferring honorary Doctor of Letters degree to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on the occasion of Sekrenyi. With this, he was hopeful that the CM will get blessings and guide and take the people of the state to a greater height.
He said that Sekrenyi is an occasion where our ancestors perform various rituals to sanctify their soul and body and prepare themselves to receive blessings of God. “We need to purify sanctify our physical body, spirit and our mind to qualify ourselves to receive the blessings of God,” he said. He also stressed on the need to celebrate the festival in the right spirit for healthy and prosperous life throughout the year.
The celebration commenced with “Blowing of Traditional Horn” by Visosietuo Vüprü and prayer by Narrating “Sekrenyi as practiced,” Meguo-o Mechülho said “This is the first festival in a calendar year and is the premier festival of the Angami Naga tribe. Sekrenyi/Phousanyi literally means to enrich and sanctify one’s body and soul.” The programme was chaired by APO vice president (HQ) Vikehielie Victor Khawakhrie while Rev Savito Nagi, President Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) invoked God’s blessings. Vilazosie Punyii, Head GB Khonoma pronounced elders’ blessing.
The programme also witnessed folk fusion from “Seyiekuolie Bio & Co. and Tshaze Pfhe & Helim from Lidi Kro-u Society. In Naga wrestling Under 12 category, Thejakhotuo Medom (NASA) emerged the champion title and Nounesesier Sierie (WAYO) as runner- up. The semi finalists were Thejaseto Seyie (CYO) and Thejavirie Sirie (CYO). Visweyie Rote representing SASA bagged the champion title Under 15 category and Mhasivoto Krose (CYO) as runner–up. The semi finalist were Zakieriato Kielienyii and Vitsosalie Punyii, both representing WAYO. In Tug- of- War event, NASA emerged the champion title after defeating SASA in the finals. Semi finalists were WAYO and CYO.
The programme was followed by Sekrenyi musical nite with Miss Nagaland 2023 Neiketuno Sechii as hostess. It featured Visetuo Chiipuo, Bayie Kro-u, Vikuyole Tase, Neilaii Thaprii, Rovi Metha & Coffee, Zayie, Avinuo Metha, LC Sekhose, Kikruleno Keyho and Dieze Sothu.
