Tsewlaknyi, one of the premier festivals of the Yimkhiungrü Naga community was celebrated at State Academy Hall in Kohima on October 18. (DIPR Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | October 18
Tsewlaknyi, one of the premier festivals of the Yimkhiungrü Naga community, was celebrated at the State Academy Hall in Kohima on October 18. The event was organised by the Yimkhiung Union Kohima (YUK) under the theme ‘Iipü Lalimyakli Kümkangjikhi’ (Fostering Cultural Legacy).
Advisor for Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guard & Civil Defence, Relief and Rehabilitation, S Kiusumew Yimchunger and Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, S Keoshu Yimchunger were the guest speakers. They extended greeting on the festival and asked the people of the Yimkhiung community to remain united and uphold the cultural legacy which is rich and meaningful.
One of the most important festivals of the Yimkhiung Nagas, it falls in the month of October which is celebrated mainly by the Makury dialect speaking group of the Yimkhiung community.
According to YUK, former general secretary, Kiutsuthong Yimchunger the word, Tsewlaknyi is a Makury dialect which is made up from three words. ‘Tsew’ means shield, ‘lak’ as sanctification and nyi means festival. It is therefore, a festival of sanctification of the shield and weapons and purification of men folks before going out for head hunting in the olden days. The festival is also significant for sanctification of one’s own life, life saving tools and activities for life and invoking blessings for bountiful harvest.
The celebration stretches for three days where the announcement is magr according to the lunar calendar (full moon period) by the chief informer of the village called Müzawpu six days ahead for the preparation of the festival and the second announcement is made 3 days ahead of the festival. The sanctification ritual begins only after all the villagers go to sleep. With sets of rituals, only selected persons undertake the ritual for chopping the cock head or fetching clean water.
The festival is also a time for marriage proposals and engagement of the young lovers. During this time, people exchange peace gift pack of dao with salt cake as an invitation and set for friendship feast.
During the programme, Angoping Cultural Club presented a cultural dance and Daniel Kiutsathong presented song. Wongtokiu, Pastor YBBK and Rachael, Associate Pastor (Women), YBBK prayed for the programme.
