Dimapur, May 1 (MExN): Nagaland Governor RN Ravi on Saturday greeted the Ao community on the occasion of Moatsü. “I extend warm Moatsü greetings to my dear Ao brothers and sisters and to the people of Nagaland,” the Governor wrote in his message.
During Moatsü, the villagers celebrate their friendship for each other by exchanging gifts, making new friends, feasting, bonfire etc thereby reinforcing the strong community bonding through this festival, the Governor shared.
It is also an occasion for the youth to get connected with their community roots and carry on the centuries old traditional legacy, he added.
The Governor appealed for observation of COVID-19 protocols throughout the celebrations and wished the community “good health, peace and happy celebrations.”
Dy CM: In a separate statement, State Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) Y Patton also extended Moatsü greetings to the Ao community.
Patton appreciated the wisdom of the leaders to forgo the celebrations in view of the pandemic and surge in cases. He however urged the people to take the festival into their hearts and pay reverence to their ancestors at their homes. On behalf of the state BJP legislators, the DyCM conveyed heartiest Moatsü greetings and prayed for blessings in abundance.
NSCN (R): The NSCN (R) conveyed warm festival greetings on the occasion of Moatsü.
“Moatsü or Moatsü Mong is the major festival of the Ao Naga tribe. Moatsü festival is a binding festival celebrated after the sowing season is over. The festival is celebrated with singing and dancing both by the men and women folk of the community in traditional attires,” it stated.
“May the festive occasions bring good tidings and prosperity to our Ao brothers and sisters so that they may continue to be the torchbearers and pioneers in many fields, and to instill a sense of responsibilities to other fellow Nagas,” the NSCN (R) stated.
