Our Correspondent Kohima | November 28 The Rengma community in Kohima today celebrated its premier festival- Ngada with much pomp and traditional gaiety here at Naga Solidarity Park under the theme “Our Culture, Our Identity.” The festival was organized by Rengma Public Organization Kohima (RPOK). Gracing the festival as the chief guest, Naga People’s Front (NPF) president and DAN chairman Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu called upon the people to uphold their rich culture and traditional practices. He also told the gathering that local dialect/language is the greatest form of protecting one identity. In this, he called upon the people to propagate the importance of local languages and take a drastic measure to preserve it and also see that the local dialect do not fall under the threat of extinction. Parliamentary secretary for PWD (Housing) Er. Levi Rengma called upon the gathering to reason together and renew friendship through Ngada festival. “Let us all drive away misunderstanding and renew our life and friendship,” he said. The festival was marked by folk dance, indigenous games, howling and yowling, high kick, strength show contest and tug of war. Ngada is the greatest festival of the Rengmas. It is celebrated towards the end of November every year. The celebration of Ngada festival marks the completion of the agricultural year and the enjoyment of the year’s harvest. It is a festival where the poor and rich share with each other without any distinction. It is a festival where the wrongdoings of individuals against each other are forgiven and forgotten. Ngada festival also marks the remembrance of the death ones by sharing drinks and food in the form of offerings at their graveyards. Earlier, pronouncement of Ngada was done by CT Rengma while welcome address was delivered by RPOK president Khinyi Woch. Dayspring presented Ngada song while Kithagha Welfare Society Kohima and Tesophenyu Cultural troupe Kohima folk song and folk dance respectively. Vote of thanks was proposed by RPOK vice president Shingato Jemu. The festival concluded with Ngada feast.
