The Department of Art & Culture, Nagaland, organized a "Tribal Festival" with the theme "Igniting Cultural Traditions” at Amphitheatre, Directorate of Art & Culture, Kohima on 26th October 2022 with Advisor, Art & Culture and Tourism, Khehovi Yepthomi as the special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the Advisor thanked the Department of Art & Culture for organizing the" Tribal Festival" in commemoration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to remember the freedom fighters who gave their lives for the freedom of the nation. He expressed his happiness to witness the colourful cultural troupes from different tribes at the state capital to celebrate the "Tribal Festival". Yepthomi said that the Naga people have a rich and unique culture, with different dialects and traditions and everyone must strive to protect the unique tradition and culture. He said that we live in such a society which is in danger of losing the identity and culture and urged that everyone should encourage each other and teach the younger generation the ways of our culture by organising such events. He also encouraged the people to form cultural clubs and have cultural exchange programs.
Yepthomi said that the government of Nagaland has introduced the Hornbill festival, Mini Hornbill festivals and tribal festivals to promote and preserve the rich Naga culture. He encouraged the people gathered to make such an event a way of life and not just a one-time event. He encouraged everyone to live in harmony and to spread love and kindness.
Secretary, Art & Culture, Athel O. Lotha, IAS in her welcome address said that the Nagas are artistic people having a colourful culture and it is a representation of the Naga’s earliest creative experience. She said that these creative activities are found in the physical aspects which are reflected in the folk dances and folk songs. She said that even though Nagas have similar cultural practices, there are distinctive features which are peculiar to each tribe.
Athel said that the main objective of the department of Art & Culture is to preserve, promote and propagate all forms of culture and arts in order to protect and project the cultural ethos of the community and hoped that this type of festival will serve as a reliable source of information and ignite in reviving the rich culture of Nagas.
Director, Art & Culture, Adela Moa in her concluding remarks said that the Department of Art & Culture has organised "Tribal festivals" in 10 (ten) districts where the department of Art & Culture offices are located and that day’s event was the culmination of all the events.
During the occasion, Sunep Lemtur, recipient of Governor's Award (Music) 2021 presented a special number was followed by cultural performances by the following 15 (fifteen) cultural troupes: Angami (Kevira Cultural Troupe, Kohima Village); Ao (Waromong Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Chakhesang (Dzülhami Cultural Troupe, Kohima), Chang (Chang Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Khiamniungan ( Khiamniungan Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Konyak(Konyak Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Lotha(Lotha Cultural Group, Kohima); Phom (Phom Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Pochury (Pochury Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Rengma (Tesophenyu Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Sangtam (Sangtam Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Sumi (Shena Old Cultural Club, Kohima); Tikhir (Tikhir Cultural Troupe, Kohima); Yimkhiung (Yimkhiung Beru Cultural group, Kohima); Zeliang (Benreu Students' Union Kohima Dance Cultural Troupe)
(I. Tiakuml Ao, IA)
