A cultural troupe demonstrating the rice paddy harvesting during the Sekrenyi Mini Hornbill Festival held at Khuochiezie Ground, Kohima on February 25. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 25
In a display of brotherhood, people from different Naga tribes came together on Monday to celebrate Sekrenyi Mini Hornbill Festival at Khuochiezie Ground, Kohima.
Sekrenyi, also known as ‘Phousanyi’, is the premier festival of the Angami community. This year, the festival had the distinction of having various tribes and their leaders joining the annual celebration as honored guests in their respective traditional attire.
Conveying Sekrenyi greetings, special guest of the occasion, Ao Senden president Chubawati Longchar, said that with broadening of the celebration level, it is both logical and imperative that the essence of peacemaking and friendship renewal is taken to a higher and broader level- from the family, clan and village level to the tribal level as this Sekrenyi 2019 is being organized.
“If all the tribal festivals are henceforth organized with such intentions, such celebrations would go beyond the mere pomp and pageantry, singing, dancing and feasting and would mitigate and reverse the woes and negative impact of tribalism in our state by promoting peace and healthy coexistence of the various communities in our tribal society,” Longchar stated.
He also pointed out that Kohima being the administrative capital, has become home to not just the Angamis but to people belonging to all tribes of Nagaland, and the Angamis have been a gracious host to the people from other communities living in Kohima. Appreciating the gesture and calling it an exemplary trend for all the other tribes to follow and practice in their respective districts, the Ao Senden president stated that the Aos from Mokokchung renew their commitment to keep up the spirit of brotherhood and fairness in their dealings with not just the Angamis but with all other tribes residing in Mokokchung.
Longchar recalled the enthusiastic participation of the Angami community in the Ao Moatsu festival held in Mokokchung in 2017 where more than 1000 Angamis laden with rich gifts took part in the community’s sacred festival. He asserted that the Aos were touched once again by the warm welcome the Angami people bestowed on other communities.
Earlier, Angami Public Organization (APO) president Dr. Kepelhousie Terhüja delivered a brief speech on the significance of the festival while deputy commissioner (DC) Kohima Gregory Thejawelie welcomed the guests.
Although inclement weather threatened to mar the celebrations as portions of the stalls were blown away by wind, the celebrants maintained the spirit of the occasion and the event was conducted smoothly.
Highlights of first day of the festival included folk songs and dances from all the four regions of the Angami tribe.
