The 44th Mimkut Golnop a post harvest festival of Kuki community was held at Phaipijang village, Dimapur on January 17 at local ground.
KUT PA H. Khollhou opened the festival.
The festival coincided with inauguration of village rostrum and solar street light in the ground premises by functional chief guest KHD. Singh, CGM Power Grid Ltd.
Addressing the functions he greeted ‘Kuters’ with KUT greetings and assuring Phaipijang bonafide citizens to facilitate them with any developmental works for the progress of the village in future. He also recalled the past rich traditions and culture of the Kukis at large.
He emphasised that Mimkut was a literal nomenclature of two syllables ‘Mim’- a kind of food grain / agricultural crop of olden days, and ‘Kut’- a festival of the Kuki tribe.
Mimkut is a traditional festival of the Kukis. ‘Mim’ is an aged traditional food grain and today it is seldom found, the reason for its disappearance cannot be exactly known. ‘Mim’ is the last harvested crop, sowing of which is normally started during the month of May and harvested in the later part of December.
On this auspicious Mimkut festival the Kuki people of all ages, in traditional attires come out in groups and join the festival displaying the harvested grain, traditional music, songs, dances etc., so as to preserve and promote the valued cultural and tradition of the fore-fathers.
Mimkut festival was attended by many retired government officers and well-wishers from inter-communities in one spirit. As a part of entertainment, traditional games such as tug-of-war, shot-put etc. were some of the main attraction.
Meritorious award were presented to three young achievers of Phaipijang, by village council chairmen, T. Khongsai for their achievements and commendable sportsmanship, namely- Lhaitinlam, captain Nagaland Football team, Vahneihoi, goal keeper and Ngultinseh (hornbill festival medalist) respectively.