Dimapur, May 14 (MExN): While appreciating and welcoming the Nagaland government’s decision to hold a ‘Mini-Hornbill Festival’ in all the districts and sub-divisions of the state, the Nagaland Garo Tribal Council (NGTC) has expressed “displeasure and resentment” for non-inclusion of its "Wangala Festival" under Dimapur district.
‘Wangala,’ a post-harvest festival of the Garos, is held annually on November 21. A press release from NGTC President, Biplab Sangma stated that the Garo tribe, being one of the recognised indigenous tribes, has five recognized villages “concentrated in the district of Dimapur since times immemorial.”
“We have been a part of the main Hornbill Festival since many years showcasing and presenting our culture and traditions,” it said. “It is worth mentioning that we have a ‘Garo Nokpante,’ the traditional Morung at Kisama, Naga Heritage village, a privilege strictly bestowed only to the recognized tribes of Nagaland,” it added. The non-inclusion of the Wangala festival and overlooking of the facts, the NGTC stated, has “utterly neglected the Garos, which has left us dismayed and deprived.”
In this connection, the Union along with Garo Students' Union Nagaland Zone (GSUNZ) had met the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya, at Raj Bhavan on May 11 and “submitted a memorandum regarding this matter and other grievances of the Garos of Nagaland.” A copy of the same was also submitted at the Chief Minister's Residential Office, it said.
The Mini Hornbill festivals are planned in all the districts and sub-divisions coinciding with the respective festivals of the tribes of Nagaland.
