Sumi students compete culturally in Kiphire

 

Kiphire, January 12: Sumi students’ unions from different units under Kiphire district participated in the cultural competition during the 14th general session of Kiphire District Sumi Students’ Union here yesterday with Yangkimong, Head GB and President, Kiphire District GB’s Association, as cultural chief guest.

Recollecting history and naming some of his contemporaries, Yangkimong said, “In our days, the Sumis of eastern side (Kiphire district) were known as ‘Tuccu’ and the rest of the Sumis were known as ‘Swu’.” Speaking about close bond and friendship between Sumis and other tribes in the past, the chief guest urged the students to maintain the same spirit of friendship.

He also advised the gathering to learn to respect each other as “we are all one in the land.” He further asked the gathering not to get education for personal purpose alone, but for the benefit of the community in the district.

Greeting the gathering and sharing on the significance of culture, Zhehito Ayemi, Chairman, Eastern Sumi Sub Hoho said, “facts and figures are needed in every field without which one is lost.” Therefore, he asked the gathering to be equipped with it. Further, he asserted that the purpose of change is to progress and if there is no progress, change will not taking place in the right direction. In light of that, he asked the students to progress with change.

Also, stating that the strongest force which binds the society and community together and preserve its identity is culture, he called upon the gathering to imbibe one’s root which is one’s culture.

The cultural competition was followed by seminar on Traditional Sumi Festival and its significance by Husca Ayemi, Asst. Professor, Japfu Christian College Kigwema. Poem recitation, top spinning, skipping, spear kicking, fire making, pole climbing etc were the competitions of the day.