Women of the Mech Kachari community performing a folk dance at the Aai Sagi festival at the Kachari Sports Ground Kushiabill, Darogajan on January 13. (Morung Photo)
The Mech Kachari of Nagaland celebrate Aai Sagi festival
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 13
The Mech Kachari community of Nagaland began celebrating the Aai-Sagi Mini Hornbill Tribal Festival 2025 from January 13 in Dimapur. The three-day long festival is being organised by the Mech Kachari Public Orgnisation, Nagaland (KTCN), at the Kachari Sports Ground Kushiabill, Darogajan.
MLA and Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu Kense, and MLA and Advisor for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, were invited as the special guests on the first day. Pradip Swargiary, Executive Member of the Boro Kachari Autonomous Council Assam, was the guest of honour.
Aai Sagi is a traditional post-harvest festival celebrated by the Mech Kachari in January. In Assam, the festival coincides with the Magh Bihu.
This festival was recognised by the state government as one of the official festivals of Nagaland in December 2023.
Both the special guests, in their speeches, laid emphasis on preserving and promoting cultural heritage and identity. “Culture and language is our identity. Value and preserve it. If we don't preserve our language and culture, we will lose our roots and identity,” said Zhaleo Rio.
He asserted that the elders have to involve the children in cultural activities, if the unique ethnic identities have to be sustained. He added that the minority communities of the state should not fall victim to inferiority mindset.
According to him, introducing the Mini Hornbill Festivals has been part of the state government’s effort to preserve the cultural heritage of the various tribes by promoting tribal festivals.
Hekani Jakhalu echoed a similar view, stating that it was encouraging to witness the Mech Kachari taking great interest to impart cultural knowledge on the children. She said, “If we lose our culture, we lose our identity.”
She also stressed that they should not feel inferior due to their minority status in the state. According to her, the state government is committed to advancing the welfare and wholistic growth of the minority communities.
Pradip Swargiary expressed happiness at witnessing his brethren in Nagaland celebrating with great fervour the Aai Sagi, which is known as Magho Domasi to the Bodo Kachari.
