Nagaland PWD Minister Tongpang Ozukum participating at the ceremonial log carrying activity that followed the “Alisümang Liden Anempong Südok” programme at Mopungchuket village, Mokokchung on January 29. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mopungchuket | January 29
In a sacrosanct traditional practice that holds strong significance for the villagers of Mopungchuket in Mokokchung district, a trail called “Alisümang Liden” by the villagers was today opened to public after a ritualistic consecration.
“Alisümang Liden” is a trail near the village which is traditionally paved with freshly cut earth during the change of guard of village administration of Mopungchuket village. It was recently paved on October 12, 2018 when the Medemsanger Putu took over the reins of the village authority from its predecessors Riongsanger Putu. It is forbidden to traverse through this trail until the village elders revoke the forbiddance, traditionally after a season’s lapse, which was done today with Nagaland PWD minister Tongpang Ozukum as special guest. The event today was called “Alisümang Liden Anempong Südok” or revoking of forbiddance of Alisümang trail.
Ozukum while addressing Mopungchuket villagers on the occasion said that Nagas must do away with their tendency to bask in their past glory and relegate those aspects of culture that hinders progress while preserving and promoting those that aid progress. He lauded Mopungchuket village as one of the most progressive Ao villages and appreciated the villagers for their sense of integrity and community participation in matters of upkeep of the village. He, however, said that those traits were attributed to the villagers of the past and challenged today’s Mopungchuket villagers to ask themselves if they were as united and integrated as their predecessors and urged them to live up to their stature of being a patriarch village for the benefit of all Aos. He also hoped that the new Medemsanger Putu would rule the village with a new vision and that love, peace and progress would prevail in the village.
Ozukum also planted an indigenous tree sapling to mark his presence on the day and participated at the ceremonial log carrying activity amidst thundering traditional field hollers that followed the “Alisümang Liden Anempong Südok” programme. A cultural extravaganza was later held at Süngkotenem Park.
