(Left) MLA Kejong Chang addresses the Poanglum Hornbill Festival at Parade Ground, Tuensang on January 11. (Right) Vishal Chauhan, SP Tuensang inaugurates the stalls of Poanglum Mini Hornbill Festival 2022. (DIPR Photo)
Tuensang, January 11 (MExN): Poanglum Hornbill Festival- the major festival of Chang community was inaugurated at Parade Ground, Tuensang on January 11 with the theme, ‘Jak-Xa (rediscovering our sustenance).’ The five-day festivity is organized by Chang Khulei Setshang (Chang Tribal Hoho) in collaboration with Government of Nagaland and Nagaland Tourism.
A DIPR report stated that the event started with the panel of speakers speaking on ‘Reminiscence’. 97 year old Kejong Chang, Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly said, “The changes of Tuensang town shall serve as a testimony for the rest of the Chang community and shall set an example with the rest of the neighbouring community in social intercourses.”
He was of the view that many people left their villages to venture out abandoning traditional means of living and sometimes fail to acquire urban living standards and become anti-social creating problems for the general masses. “We need a revival in such social migrations; we need to focus on traditional way of living in villages or we shall focus strictly in education and technical sectors so that there will be social balance in itself,” he added.
Kamchu Chang, Oldest GB of Tuensang Town retrospecting the value of Poanglum festivity and its nature of festivity said, “poanglum is a festival of making friendship and maintaining the old friendship circle and also to make treaties to the neighbouring communities and villages.” When we look back to our forefathers, Poanglum has been a meaningful celebration with many good values which can be used in daily living, he said.
S Chubasangla Chang, said decades back, women folk were not given privileges to partake in social gatherings and decision making but conditions have changed for the better. Poanglum celebration was more of guests from neighbouring villages and communities visiting and celebrating with sharing of foods which depict the respect, love and cordial relationship amongst the communities and village, she said. Trade used to be an important part of the celebration in form of barter which signifies importance of trade and entrepreneurship.
Inaugural prayer was invoked by Rev Achu Chang ES, CBLT while heralding was done by Nungsanglemba Chang, President CKS. The vision of scion by Chongma Mongko (16 years old) Council Chairman, Sochum Tuensang village and Echos of the hills by Yungphaang youths followed by Jak-Xa food feast and night Carnival by the evening.
Meanwhile, Vishal Chauhan, SP Tuensang inaugurated the stalls of Poanglum Mini Hornbill Festival 2022 at Parade ground on January 11. The Chang Khuile Setshang has initiated construction of 75 stalls and allocated to the villages to sell the traditional items and to encourage the young entrepreneurs.
