(Left) Major General Vikas Lakhera, SM, IG Assam Rifles (N); (Right) Cultural troupe during the inaugural function of the Poanglum Festival at Parade Ground in Tuensang on January 11. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Tuensang | January 11
The Poanglum Festival of the Chang Nagas made a spectacular launch at Parade Ground in Tuensang on January 11.
Organized by the Chang Khulei Setshang, the apex tribal body of the Chang community, the festival is held with the theme ‘Pithen-Li, Celebrating the Legacy.’
Major General Vikas Lakhera, SM, IG Assam Rifles (N) graced the inaugural as the special guest. He was accompanied by Brigadier Vikram Singh, DIG 7 sector, Assam Rifles, Colonel Deval Dixit, Commandant, 28th Assam Rifles, Kanchan Kumar Kandpal, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Tuensang, ThungchanbemoTungoe, NPS, ADC, Tuensang, NGOs, tribal and student body leaders, and several other dignitaries.
Four receives Qui-Qui Awards
During the festival, four individuals were conferred with the Qui-Qui Awards for their exceptional service. Recognised as the ‘highest civilian award’ of the Chang community, Qui-Qui means ‘highly exalted’ and it is awarded annually during Poanglum festival. It is awarded in recognition of an exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
This year’s award recipients include Rev Dr Chingmak Kejong, Secretary, Eluetheros Christian Society, Tuensang; N James Chang, Project Director, Integrated Development Society, Tuensang; Mutten Hangba E Chang, grand winner of Global Model India 2022 who will be representing India at the ‘I Am Model Search International 2023; and Bupen Yemjong, captained Nagaland in Subroto Cup International Tournament 2022 in the category of Under-17 (boys) and won the cup for Nagaland after a gap of 42 years.
The word is a Chang terminology which means ‘high’ or ‘above’. Therefore, usage of the word “Qui-Qui” always relates to highest exaltation with great honour. In the primeval days, when a man fights valiantly and secures a trophy, the kinsmen to honour his bravery and his service to the small tribal republican populace, the hunted heads was hung at the highest bamboo pole known as Qui-Qui in front of the community Morung.
The first recipients were Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio in 2021, Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang Kumar Ramnikant, IAS and Khiamniungan Tribal Council.
Earlier, during the event Chingmei Mütli Thangjam led ‘Chishok-Lamshok’ which roughly translates to people coming together seated at one place to sing which was later followed by unfurling of the CKS flag by the special guest.
Chang Songdak Thangjam played the log drum which was followed by Chang Anthem sung by the Tuensang Town Baptist Church.
The invocation prayer was pronounced by Rev H Sangkap, pastor, TTBL and ‘khongten’ heralding of the festival was invoked by S Chingmak, GB, P/Khel, Tuensang village while the welcome address was delivered by Amoongli W Chang, Convenor, Poanglum Planning Committee.
Special guest also inaugurated the stalls and exhibition which was followed by traditional dances by the cultural troupes from Sangdak Union, Tuensang town, Chongpho Khel, Tuensang village and Hakchang Saoshuong Thangjam, Tuensang town.
The commentators were Hongsangsonla, Toninaro, Phoment, Kaimang Choba and Nyakba.
