The stage is set for Angami Nagas premier festival Sekrenyi 2014 at the picturesque Naga Heritage Village Kisama on February 25 in commemoration with the 50 years of statehood with Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) as host. The festival is being held under the theme “Fostering unity and oneness.”
SAPO president Zadeho Rikha extended invitation to one and all for the celebrations. All the Kohima based tribal Hohos have been invited to the festival.
Cultural activities will start from 9:30 onwards. It will be marked by traditional fire making, cultural performances, youth medley, Phreda and Sei Bagei, top spinning, war cry, high jump and crease pool climbing.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand will grace the main function at 12:30 AM. Sekrenyi greetings will be delivered by chief host Neiphiu Rio, chief minister of Nagaland while Sekrenyi blessings will be pronounced by Neisa Thol.
Naga unity dance, wrestling exhibition, Sekrenyi chef competition, agri expo at Bamboo Pavilion, flower exhibition at Hortiscape, exhibition cum sale at Bamboo pavilion will also be part of the festival.
Earlier, SAPO) has informed that no guns and ammunitions will be allowed beyond Gate No. 2 at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on the day of the celebration.
All the celebrants as well as uniformed personnel and bodyguards have been requested not to bring arms and ammunition.
The security forces have been requested not to attend the celebration in their uniform.
Sekrenyi is celebrated by the Angamis in the month of ‘Keno’ (February) after the full moon, every year.
It is observed to ensure the good health of the community for the coming year; in soul and body and hence is also regarded as ‘Phousanyi’ (the feast of Ablution). Sekrenyi therefore, is of two phases; the ritual and the feast, of five days each.
The Sekrenyi rituals commence with ‘Dzuseva’ (the pre-dawn cleansing bath) by all males at the sanctified virgin spring well. Simultaneously, the women perform ‘Kizie’ (the house dedication).
On return from the symbolic ablution, an unblemished sacrificial “cock of omen” for every male person, is strangulated to observe the tenacity and position of its legs and the fullness of its innards for interpretation of the vitality and prosperity, for the corresponding individual in the coming year.
Thence, the male and female folks maintain segregations in living and in hearth; the male hearth is ignited only from “Süguo Mi (Stick and rope friction fire). Strict chastity is adhered to for three days till ‘Krupo (the adjournment ritual).
The ‘Thekrane’ (feast) phase subsequently follows for five days and Sekrenyi is concluded.
