Ketholeno Neihu
Kohima | April 17
Phesama village, Merama khel today celebrated an extravagant traditional feast, popularly known as the ‘Kerunyi’ among the Angamis as a mark towards upholding the values of traditional practices.
Organized and initiated by the khel’s youth organization, they observed the need for reviving and understanding the conceptual uniqueness of Naga traditional practices. As an entity, the leaders urged the youth to live their lives well through hardwork and sincerity, bridging oneself from immoral activities and corruption which has become rampant today.
Among many other festivals and feasting of the Angami tribe, ‘Kerunyi’ coincides with the transplanting of paddy in the field. While rice plantation is labour intensive, the festival continues for three to four days. “Different ‘Pelikro’ or ‘age-sets’ relish the days with meat curry, rice beer, singing traditional songs, dancing and competing through traditional games. During rice plantation seasons, young boys and girls in the same ‘Peli’ make rounds in every field,” Zathole, the eldest attendee shared.
Vibrantly dressed in traditional attire, seventeen “Pelikro” or peer groups or age-sets from the khel participated in the festival. The peer attendees aged from 15- 60 years. A variety of indigenous food items such as pork, duck, snail, chutney etc were prepared.
The festival marked its day’s conclusion with a walk of about 2 kilometers from the field to the village Morung with women leading the line followed by men singing enchanting songs or ‘kewhu’.
