The Mungmung Tribal Festival was held at Kiphire town on 2nd September 2022, hosted by United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) at Local Ground, Kiphire with Deputy Speaker, NLA, T. Yangseo Sangtam as the special guest.

The Sangtam tribe has about 12 festivals spread all over the calendar year with feasting, dance and music built around the community life of the people. Being one of the most important festivals of the Sangtams, Mungmung festival which means ‘togetherness forever’ is observed in the first week of September every year, and it stretches over six days. The main objective is to have a good harvest, food grains, for which the villagers toil throughout the year.

Deputy Speaker, NLA, T. Yangseo Sangtam encouraged the community to be more realistic, vibrant, broad minded and lead to preserve the tradition and rich culture with sense of peace and love. He called on the community to eradicate all the evils and isms of society and come forward with oneness to achieve socioeconomic and political developments. He acknowledged the presence of all the tribal leaders at the festival and named Kiphire as Mini- Nagaland where multi-tribes live in peace and harmony.

Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire, T. Wati Aier hoped the bond will get stronger between the four tribes in Kiphire district and usher in unity among all the Nagas, adding that development will come only if there is peace. He spoke on the significance of the festival and preservation of the cultures, dances, languages, songs and traditional way of life through the celebration. The DC also advocated the inculcation of discipline and hard work in their lifestyle, and to follow government orders to maintain a civilized society. He suggested organising skill development trainings along with different stalls in the next Mungmung festival celebration.

Special folk dances were presented by the cultural troupes from different villages.

(Wangshikokla, IA Kiphire)