DIMAPUR, JANUARY 16 (MExN): The Yimchungru Arih Ako Chumukedima Town today organized a celebration of Tsungkamneo/ Neoto-Neo, a major festival of the Yimchungru community at Chumukedima Town Hall.
A press note from the YAAC informed that Toshi Wungtung, Advisor to the Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) was the Chief Guest and Tokishe Achumi, President, GB Chumukedima Area was the Guest of Honour.
Toshi Wungtung, Advisor to ENPO expressed that Nagas have a rich historical, social-cultural, economic and political heritage which is known to the outside world. He stressed that Tsungkamneo which is also known as Neoto-Neo or Winter festival has a unique and outstanding feature or practice—Aneo-ji khi or Limtsüa-tsuachih –khi, which includes holding special feasts of merit for special invitee, where peace treaties, bonding of relationship, reconciliations are observed between warring villages, communities and individuals.
This was observed by hosting lavish feasts between the enemies and at the same time re-affirmation/ re-strengthening and maintaining of friendship between existing enemies in the past. In the same way, he exhorted the community to maintain peace, unity and honesty for tranquility among the present generation.
Razouvotuo Chatsu, Chairman, Chumukedima Village Council (CVC) in his short speech said that the first batch of Yimchungru Nagas settled at Chumukedima were the 1st batch of Nagaland Police. It was also known that the 1st recruits were from the Yimchungru Tribe with Lt. K.M Caming who was the first person to be recruited with the serial no 1, he said.
Chatsu shared that the natural resources located in the land of the Yimchungru people are abundant but due to the deplorable road condition and lack of development in the area, Yimchungrus have not been able to mature economically.
In his speech he also stressed on the fact that the only Orange Village of Nagaland “Phuvkiu” is located under Pungro Sub-division and also high quality apples are grown at Thanamir village below Mt. Saramati. These places, he said, are assets to the people of Nagaland and particularly the Yimchungru people.
He as such urged the Yimchungru people to excel in life with determination, exhibit concern and love among neighbours and be an example to other communities living in Chumukedima.
Tokishe Achumi meanwhile encouraged the gathering to exercise the habit of using their own mother tongue among the younger generation in order to preserve their identity and heritage through practices of customary and traditional habits.
The significance of Tsungkamneo was highlighted by K. Shojiba where all the aspects and processes of the festival was made known to the gathering.
Folk songs and dances were presented by Surale Cultural club, Yimchungru Beru Cultural club, Yimchungru Arih-Ako and Yimchungru Baptist Arih-Ako Chumukedima. The program was hosted by Z Kiumusu Kips, Warden, PCC.
