Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio graced the Konyak Heritage Complex Inauguration-cum-Konyak Aoleang Monyu 2025 as a special guest on 5th April 2025 at Leangha village, Mon. Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, was the Honoured Guest while Minister of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Village Guards, C L John, was the Chief Host.
Dr. Rio thanked all the Civil Societies, Administration headed by Deputy Commissioner, Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, Leangha Village for their cooperation in the success of completion of the complex. He said that the complex will be handed to DUDA as a Government Agency but requested the people to maintain it properly. He encouraged the people to protect, preserve and promote it.
He urged the people to learn about themselves, their customary laws, and remember their ancestors while celebrating the festival with peace and unity. He also pledged to construct a women working hostel and Konyak Union Office at the Konyak Heritage Complex Site.
Honoured Guest, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister of state for Education & Development of North Eastern Region, in his address said that he was happy to be part of this programme, witnessing the beautiful tradition and culture of the Konyak tribe. He iterated that Nagaland is truly the land of festivals with celebrations throughout the year and that Konyak, one of the largest and the most prominent tribes in Nagaland, is blessed with rich culture and tradition. He emphasised on agriculture being an important part of festival celebration and the backbone of society.
Sukanta said the festival it is not only about celebrating tradition but also to recognise the significant contribution it makes to the nation's cultural diversity along with promoting the rich legacy of the Konyak.
Report on Konyak Heritage Complex was given by W. Chingang Konyak, Advisor, Geology & Mining, DUDA. Loungai Wangnao, Convenor, Konyak Heritage Complex Management Board, gave a brief history and significance of Konyak Heritage Complex.
Earlier, Special Guest Dr. Rio unveiled the Monolith. The programme began with the Konyak Traditional Welcome Ceremony and Ceremonial Opening of Konyak Aoleang Monyu by Yanglem, Angh, Leangha. It was followed by Banging of Gong by Honoured Guest Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Beating of Logdrum by Ukha Paan Nahalan, Firing of Muzzle Loading Gun and Beating of Log Drum at all the nine Morungs. Later, Special Guest, Honoured Guest, Chief Host and all the invitees inspected all the nine Morungs, the Angh House and the complex site.
There were special performance from Pongchao Cultural Troupe, Arunachal Pradesh and Tai Ahom Cultural Troupe, Assam, and from cultural troupes from Leangha Village, Changnyu Village and Wakching Village. There was also a special presentation from Shipshi Ungwung Khong, KNSK Aboi.
The welcome address for the programme was delivered by KU President, Tingtok Konyak and vote of thanks by Y. Chingwang Wangsa, Convenor, Konyak Aoleang Committee.
The programme was chaired by Kaiwang Konyak, ARO, Art & Cultural Department while the cultural events session was chaired by Bangkai Konyak and M. Ngapya Konyak where the cultural troupes consisted of participants from Changnyu Village, Jaboka Union Tizit Town, Longchang Village, Mon Village, Chi Union Mon Town, Leangha Village, Wakching Village, Monyakshu Village, Wayen Vilage, Mon Town and Wangti Village
(M Pelih, IA Mon)
