Lao-ong Mo to be celebrated on Sept 28 & 29
Dimapur, September 22 (MExN): The Konyak Union (KU) has declared the official dates for the celebration of ‘Lao-ong Mo,’ a post harvest festival of the Konyak Nagas, as September 28 and 29.
The KU, accordingly, is all geared up preparing for its first celebration in Mon Town on September 28, the Union said in a press note issued by its President Manlip Konyak and General Secretary Honang M. Jessuhu.
‘Lao-ong Mo’ has traditionally been observed and adhered by every Konyak household after the completion of the harvest and this festival marks the end of all activities, rituals and norms that were in process since the completion of ‘Aoleang Monyu’ celebration, it said.
The celebration is preceded by various rituals and norms that are being observed in the paddy field and it also seeks to unify the souls and minds of every individual, it added.
It is the time of the year when all granaries are confidently stored from the harvest and undoubtedly “a celebration on the bountiful harvest with utmost sense of goodliness and thanks giving,” the KU maintained.
The Union further said that objective of celebrating the post harvest festival is to revive and preserve the glorious age old cultural & traditional heritage of the Konyak society.
“Such initiative would definitely help the younger generation in acquiring and disciplining with adequate knowledge on its social and cultural values,” it said.
The Union while taking its pursuit for preservation of culture and tradition and also fostering for promoting of tourism, appealed its entire citizen to carefully harmonise the mode of observation and celebration in accordance to the present context, it added.
“Though, many norms or rituals may not be applicable in accordance to our present biblical context, we can discipline our devotion and celebration in accordance to the will of our Almighty for his manifold blessings and harvest in all walks of our lives.”
Meanwhile, KU further informed that a representation has been submitted to the State Government for recognition and inclusion of ‘Konyak Lao-ong Mo’ in the official festival list of the state.
Further informing that the Union had appealed the State Government for declaration of September 28 as a restricted official holiday for the Konyak, it fervently urged the government to consider the representation “on top urgency before the proposed date of celebration.”
With regard to the September 28 celebration, it said that the daylong ‘Lao-ong Mo declaratory programme’ will consist of three main programmes with Minister Road & Bridges Vikheho Swu and Parliamentary Secretary for Sericulture, Home Guard & Civil Defence E. E. Pangteang Konyak as the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour respectively for the first session.
Parliamentary Secretary for Sericulture for Art & Culture E. Eshak Konyak will be gracing the ‘Lao-ong Mo Talent harvest night programme while NEZCC Director, Lipokmar Tzudir will be declaring the ‘Lao-ong Mo exhibition cum competition.’ He is also the ‘special guest’ of the entire celebration.
During the celebration, traditional items and sports will be displayed by all the 17 unions of Mon Town.
The KU has appealed its entire citizen to observe the proposed dates with utmost honour to the age old norms and values.
Extending its invitation, the Union also requested all the Konyak elders, leaders, officers and citizen to be physically present during the auspicious celebration of the Konyak ‘Lao-ong Mo’ in Mon Town on September 28.
