Angami customary book, a vital document that aims to preserve and promote the customs and traditions of the Angami people was released at the 45th general meeting of the All Angami GB Association at Sovima village on November 29.
Gracing the event as chief guest, Angami Public Organization (APO) president, Thejao Vihienuo said that Gaon Buras (GBs) are the guardians of Naga tradition and customary laws and without them, and recalled the importance of GBs in Angami villages since ancient times.
Vihienuo recalled how the Britishers were amazed to find that the “purest form of democracy” existed in Angami villages when they first ventured into Angami country in the early 19th century.
“Whereas Democracy was a new concept to the Western modern world, Britishers found to their surprise that the purest form of Democracy was practised in Angami villages since time immemorial, and the GBs or elders of the villages were the mainstay of this Democracy. They were the voice of the public and what they said or uttered was unquestionable,” Vihienuo stated.
“However,” he added, “the status of the GBs in the present-day seem to have diminished and the esteem that earlier GBs enjoyed seem to have decreased in the eyes of the general public. Therefore, he called upon the GBs to introspect and take corrective measures so that the past glory of GB-ship is restored.
Sebastian Zumvü, chairman of the host village Sovima, in his greetings message, appealed to the GBs to realise the importance of their Government-issued Uniforms and said GBs should not only respect their red waist-coats but also be proud to wear their uniform since it signify dignity and solemnity to functions that they attend.
Zumvu was also of the opinion that Angami GB Association should be included as either Special Invitees or as full time Executive members to the Angami Public Organization since Government employees in the form of Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho are also executive members of the APO.
Zhato Kimho, president of Chakhroma Public Organization, also spoke on significance of the uniform of GBs and emphasized the critical role of GBs in practicing and upholding justice.
He also highlighted the role of the GBs in fostering better connection and making sound decisions for the welfare of the community.
The meeting was chaired by Thepfukedo Kuotsu, president AAGBA and who is also the Head GB of Sovima Village, and opening prayer by Rev Zhau Sanchu, Associate Pastor Christian Revival Church, Sovima.
The event was enriched by a performance from the Sovima village Angami women, who enthralled the gathering with an Angami Cultural song.
A total of 301 GBs out of the total 325 Angami GBs attended the General Meeting of the All Angami GB Association hosted by Sovima Village Council. This was stated in a press release issued by media cell of Sovima Village.
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