Lao-ong Mo festival marks abundant harvest and thanksgiving
Mon, September 28 (DIPR): Lao-ong Mo, also known as the post-harvest festival or the annual harvest festival was celebrated on September 28 with the Minister for Road & Bridges, Vikheho Swu as the chief guest and Parliamentary Secretary Art & Culture, EE Pangteang Konyak as the guest of honour, at the Local ground Mon town.
Asserting that customs and cultures of the Nagas are closely associated with nature, the chief guest said, “When we look into our age old cultural practices, we find that our forefathers had befriended, adapted to nature and respected it.”
Lamenting that with the progress of modernity, cultural and traditional practices are being neglected and forgotten, he urged the youth to learn and preserve the great artistic works and God given talents, inherited from their forefathers. He suggested that the festival needs to be celebrated not only to mark its occasion, but also to promote social and economic development of the people by way of displaying healthy products from the field.
“Observing festivals also brings peace, unity and love in the community which would strengthen the Konyak society in particular and the Nagas in general,” he added.
Meanwhile, referring to the financial position of the state, he said the changing policy of the central government has affected the funding pattern. He said that based on the policies of the central government, the state government is initiating and focusing on revenue earning projects. He was optimistic that with such initiatives, the financial position of the state would be resolved.
Acknowledging that Mon district lacks interstate connectivity even after more than 50 years of statehood, he stated that the district would have been connected had the Foothill Road project successfully completed. But unfortunately, due to the change in the funding pattern from the central government, it has not been completed, the Minister said.
Citing that Mon district is a land of opportunity blessed with suitable geographical locations to cultivate for commercial production, he urged the people to take it as a challenge and start utilizing the land for commercial purpose. According to him, the district has prospective opportunity in business sector as the district shares border with two states viz Assam, Arunachal and Myanmar.
The chief guest also inaugurated the exhibition stalls of traditional artistic products.
The Minister was accompanied by YM Yollow, Parliamentary Secretary CAWD; E. Eshak Konyak, Parliamentary Secretary Art and Culture; NPF party workers from both central and Pughoboto AC and GBs from his constituency. Other dignitaries who attended the fest were DC Mon, SP Mon, 2 ic 33 AR, President ENPO.
The highlights of the daylong celebration were Log drumming by Leangha Union Mon Town, Nyawong Wunglak, traditional music presentation called Vivo and Tokkok by Wakching Area Union Mon Town, Wah-la Kongkih by Totok Union Mon Town, Elleet display by Aboi Area Union Mon Town and Lao-ong Mo Loak by Angphang Village, traditional games competition and exhibition.
Lao-ong Mo signifies the winding up of all harvest activities, norms and rituals practiced by every Konyak household. It marks the culmination of all activities carried out after the Aoleang Monyu celebration. This festival is celebrated to mark abundant harvest and thanksgiving.
Lao-ong mo is now officially a community fest, recognize by the Government of Nagaland.
