Longsa Village vibrantly celebrated the Tsüngremmung Festival on 1st August 2026 under the patronage of the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland. The festival brought together dignitaries, neighbouring communities, and villagers in a grand display of cultural heritage, unity, and traditional gratitude.
The event was graced by Metsübo Jamir, Minister for Rural Development, SIRD, as the Chief Host, while S. Keoshu Yimchunger, MLA & Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports, and G. Ikuto Zhimomi, MLA & Advisor for Land Resources as the Guest of Honours.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Host, Metsübo Jamir extended warm Tsüngremmung greetings and expressed his gratitude to the organizers and the citizens of Longsa for fostering community bonding. Jamir also thanked neighboring villages for their presence, emphasizing the necessity of living in unity during both joyous festivals and challenging times, while urging everyone to remain thankful for divine blessings.
Tongpang Ozüküm, Advisor for Water Resources, highlighted the deep significance of the festival. He noted that while Tsüngremmung is traditionally celebrated to thank God for a bountiful harvest, its broader meaning lies in building strong relationships and fostering deep friendships within the village and with neighboring communities.
Guest of Honour G. Ikuto Zhimomi spoke on the shared identity of the Naga people. He emphasized that cultural festivals serve as vital platforms to promote and revitalize traditional arts, crafts, and music. Zhimomi encouraged the youth to take pride in their heritage, as it forms the bedrock of their identity. He also paid tribute to late N.I. Jamir of Longsa Village, acknowledging his historic contribution as the first administrative officer of Aghunato Town.
Honoured Guest S. Keoshu Yimchunger underscored the common threads connecting all Naga festivals, noting that while celebration times vary, core values like sharing and building bonds remain identical. Reflecting on past practices, Yimchunger remarked that while forefathers consumed local rice beer for strength during hard field labor, the current generation must avoid substance abuse.
He advised the youth to cherish the good legacy of their ancestors while discarding outdated, non-compatible practices. Drawing a comparison to the past, Yimchunger lamented that modern Naga society has become fragmented into various organizations despite advancements in education, governance, and technology. Likening this fragmentation to a single body with parts working toward conflicting objectives, he appealed to the gathering to uphold the spirit of Naga unity and come together as one family.
The celebration featured a rich array of traditional performances and indigenous sports, including:
a) Sangphur Village Cultural Troupe – Traditional dance and folk presentation.
b) An Tepong Rara – Performance by the Lion Club of Longsa.
c) Surumi Village Cultural Troupe – Guest cultural display showcasing neighboring heritage.
d) Indigenous Games – Exquisite demonstration by the Longsa Eagle Club.
e) Tug of War – A thrilling competitive match between Züngalepzük and the Longsa Village Council.
(Zuchumo Kithan, IA Mokokchung)
