Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 2
‘Moatsü’, the premier festival of the Ao community was celebrated today with gaiety and full of its traditional splendor. Organised by the Ao Senso Telongjem Diphupar, the celebration was held at Diphupar Local Ground and attended by people from the Ao community in their finest traditional clothes and jewelry.
As per traditional customs, the festival celebration began with the Watsu Telongjem Diphupar receiving the invitees and guests from the gate with traditional songs. This was followed by numerous traditional Ao folk songs and dances presented by the elderly Ao males of Diphupar, and women union of Diphupar. A short play based on an Ao folk tale was presented by Ao Kaketshir Telongjem Diphupar followed by traditional folk dance presented by Ao youth from Diphupar.
Representatives from various tribes and different organizations also attended the festival and were accorded a warm reception by the Ao Senso Telongjem Diphupar. It was highlighted that the programme was organised not only to celebrate the traditional and cultural aspects of Moatsü festival but to celebrate cultural diversity and the Naga community at large.
Gracing the occasion, Limasunep Jamir, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Dimapur in his speech also highlighted, “Today is a special time for the Ao community in particular and the Naga community in general. The Moatsü festival among the Ao community seeks to celebrate the highest pursuit of root in an individual- the family and the village. It is directed towards the attainment of peace and prosperity in society.”
Addressing the different representatives of all community at the festival, he stated, “Diphupar has gone through a lot from the beginning for this year, it has gone through a lot of pain, a lot of emotions, a lot of loss. But today, it is a time of celebration. I come here on behalf of the Police Commissionerate to appeal to all our brothers and sisters to come together in peace and unity, to come together in mutual trust and cooperation so that we can take our district forward. It is indeed a wonderful occasion, a god given blessed day where we can all come together to celebrate Moatsü in the right spirit of brotherhood and unity, forgiveness and oneness in our work and objective and all things we need to do together.”
S.I Jamir, Advisor, Urban Development, Government of Nagaland also spoke on the theme, “Envisioning today’s cultural values for tomorrow”. N. Tsuknung Jamir also presented a brief outline on the significance of Moatsü festival and its importance to the Ao community. The celebration concluded with the customary tug of war competition followed by a grand feast.
