The first Athibung Sub-Division Mini Hornbill cum Mimkut festival was held at Athibung Town, Peren on 17th January 2022 with Advisor for water Resources, Namri Nchang as the special guest.
Speaking at the program Advisor, Namri Nchang lauded the Kuki community elders and other dignitaries present. He urged the gatherings to celebrate the occasion to the fullest with fruitful meaning. He also said that the first priority is to educate youngster the true meaning of festival and its local dialect in order to preserve one's culture and unique identity. He also asked the people to stay active in every role by educating the upcoming generation . The Advisor also spoke on the importance of Covid-19 and its vaccine and encouraged the mass to take the Covid issue seriously and maintain Covid appropriate behavior.
He added that the present Government is trying its best to take up various developmental work in the areas and encouraged the gathering to remain supportive with Govt. Namri also thanked the various cultural dance troupe for performing beautifully. The Advisor was accompanied by Administration, police, Govt. Officials and public leaders.
SDO (C) Ahthibung, Vekusheyi Rhakho who graced the inaugural function held on 16th January, 2022 said, Nagaland is known as the 'Land of Festivals' and every tribe have one or more festivals celebrated year round for varied reasons. He also added, with the celebration of 'Mimkut Festival' which is the 'Post-Harvest Festival' of the Kukis, he urged the Kuki community to remember and remind each other of the good traditions, practices and values of their ancestors and also preserve and promote their rich cultural heritage.
The program was chaired by SIS Athibung circle Education Department, Hentinthang Singson while traditional welcome song was performed by Pa Lalsat Sitlhou and his team, welcome speech and submission of memorandum by General Secretary, KIN Thangkhokai Gangte. Chief host, L.Singsit,IPS Retd.Joint Director, Agri. Deptt. & President Kuki INPI Nagaland also delivered short speeches. Cultural exhibition was also performed by Nkio cultural troupe, Beisumpui cultural troupe ,Athibung cultural troupe etc. The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Pa Letgin Singson Mim Kut committee
MIMKUT FESTIVAL
Like other people Kuki are also bestowed with Rich culture and tradition. Kut culture is the golden string that entwines them as one with their rich past. Young and old alike in vibrant custume celebrates the festival by singing old songs of forefathers, dance with hope and joy with no exhaustion. Ancestors fondest Kuts are Chapphou , Muchivo , Anchuh and lholhun are agro based and seasonal while Chang-ai, Sa-ai etc. are related to individuals and non periodic .Mim-Kut (Job's tears Kut) though falls under the first category has a different story , unique and sacred.Today, it has become one of the most looked forward Kut for which the people of KuKi extended gratitude to God and state Government of Nagaland for its initial celebrations as one of the recognised State festival under the Chief ministership of Lt.P. Shilu So which was started on 17th January 1967. Since then , it is observed and celebrated at different levels , village Area and the State.
The great significance of Mim-Kut lies in laying big milestones, a new transition in the agricultural practice of KuKi forefathers. In other words it is the shifting over Mim cultivation (Job's tears) to Chang(paddy).It also marks as changing in the food habit and mode of cultivation in the old days .Another is, it brings young generation closer to the past and ethnic identity by providing ample opportunity to them in keeping alive the endangered culture and tradition of the Legend Mim and Juthel specifically.
The sacredness of Mim-Kut is best ilustrated in the story of 'Juthel Changpoh,’ paddy carried by rat Mim-Kut's incantation and Mim-Kut -Lore.
The KuKi ancestors living in Koh, Burma/ Myanmar had a jhum field cultivating Mom on the bank of Twihat (Chindwin) on a particular day. The river was in spate . He caught sight of a desperate Juthel floating down on a bamboo stump in great desperations fortunately it was pushed towards his side by the current. With great effort he pulled the bamboo and Juthel was saved.As the man split the stump he found some grains of Chang (paddy) which he started cultivating it the next year.
Thereafter the man grew the crop every year and became most sufficient than before. Other villages also started the cultivation of paddy years later though they had not abandoned Mim completely . They decided to hold Mim ritual to appease and release it as their chief food- crop and to welcome Chang ( paddy) at the same time. Thempu ( priests) gratified him Chungmang for his great Providence.
The sacred ritual was followed by merry making , sipping of 'Ju' rice beer and feasting for days together . Henceforth , Mim-Kut occupies a specific place in the socio- cultural life of the KuKi community.
(ETO KAURING, IA TENING)