Zeliang Welfare Society Toulazouma cultural troupe presenting a folk dance during Lamsimnyi cum Chaga Gadi festival at Toulazouma, Chümoukedima District on October 31.
Chümoukedima, October 31 (MExN): The Zeliang community celebrated the Lamsimnyi cum Chaga Gadi 2025 festival with the theme “Rekindling Bonds & Blessings,” organised by the Zeliang People’s Organisation Chümoukedima at Nsarangbe Ki, Toulazouma on October 31.
Hundreds of community members residing in and around Chümoukedima district gathered in traditional attire, marking the occasion with cultural dances, songs, games, and a feast.
The festival, traditionally observed in the last week of October or early November based on the lunar calendar, is now a restricted holiday fixed for October 30 and 31 by the Government.
Lamsimnyi focuses on reinforcing familial bonds between parents and married daughters, siblings, and extended family, with feasting being a central element. It also includes games and sports competitions for boys and youths, preceded by a day of abstinence to ensure safety during events.
Chaga Gadi is observed to seek blessings from God (Tingwang) for prosperity, health, and success. Participants undergo rituals of sanctification, including lighting a new fire and consuming food prepared separately, while adhering to strict abstinence and dietary restrictions.
The day’s events commenced with traditional howling and the lighting of a new fire, symbolizing a new phase of life.
This was followed by an invocation by Sangkibe Riame, President of AGG Baptist Bible College. Akungbo Chewang, President of Zeliang People’s Organisation Chümoukedima, welcomed attendees, while elder Egalung Zeliang presented a folk song.
The host, Pausui Zeliang, former Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Nagaland, highlighted the festival’s significance, noting that Lamsimnyi was declared a restricted holiday as early as 1966.
Zandi Domta, President of the Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation (NZPO), extended greetings to the community. Cultural performances included a folk dance by the Zeliang Welfare Society, Toulazouma, and a blessing pronounced by Lesehu Meru, Programme Manager of CASA, NE-India.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Apale, Vice-President of the Zeliang Women Organization Chümoukedima. The event was compered by Asungbe N Hau, Advocate.
The afternoon featured traditional games, including shot put, high jump, long jump, bamboo pole climbing, and tug of war.
The festival was attended by community leaders from Dimapur and Chümoukedima, along with government officers, social workers, and other dignitaries.
