Sangtam Union Dimapur (SUD) celebrated its 35th Mongmong Festival here Tuesday at DDSC Stadium, Golaghat road with Ghukhato Chishi, project director music task force, Nagaland, Kohima as the chief guest.
Chishi addressing the gathering said the festival was a significant day for the Sangtams as their forefathers had given them the identity which has enabled them to stand among the other Naga tribes and nations proudly.
He said, “As our forefathers have gifted us this hereditary, we have to maintain our own identity and proudly say that we are Sangtams”.
Chishi said Mongmong festival was a festival set aside for six days by the forefathers, remembering all the context of life from individual, to family and the society to thank God and pray for a bountiful harvest.
“Unless we are together, we cannot progress”, said Chishi and asked the elders to encourage and endorse younger generation on the good work of the forefathers.
He however cautioned the youth saying elders have lot of experience, and as a youth, one should be calm and follow the advice of elders.
“In this way one can have better understanding with one another to go ahead forth, but one must uphold the name of the society and the name of the community”, added the chief guest.
Earlier, Dr. H. Apise invoked God’s blessing for the festival and welcome speech pronounced by Kashiho Sangtam, president SUD.
Jinkhu Welfare Society presented a folk song where significance of Mongmong was shared by Tasniho Public Leader.
BYE, SBCPB and Air Field area presented a special song
Vote of thanks was pronounced by N.T Akhum, vice president SUD and Rev.Thridong, pastor SBCD gave the benediction.
MON: Sangtam union Mon town celebrated Amungmung festival at the official residence of N. Sangtam SP Mon on Tuesday.
Greeting the Sangtam community on the occasion of Amungmung festival, DC Mon Angau I Thou said the Sangtams celebrate Amungmung festival to invoke God’s blessing for bountiful harvest after toiling throughout the year.
She said invoking God’s blessing was found in every festival of the Nagas, which revealed the forefathers had good faith in the Almighty God and called upon the gathering to follow the “good footsteps” of the forefathers by seeking God’s blessing.
She said Amungmung also meant to extend bond and share with others, and urged the gathering to make the festival as an instrument of peace by reviewing and strengthening cordial relationship with others.
Citing peace as the prerequisite for development, she exhorted the gathering to spread the message of peace to the people to pave way for unity and development of the district.
“Sangtam dance is lively and energetic, and this is the reason why they are selected to perform in the national level on many occasions”, said the DC.
Wangpai Konyak vice president of Konyak Union (KU) in his Amungmung festival greetings urged the gathering to preserve the cultural identity of the Nagas, and appealed to the Sangtam community to strengthen the age old good relationship with the Konyaks and other Nagas while celebrating the festival.
Earlier, S.P. Mon N. Sangtam briefed about the significance of Amungmung festival. He said Amungmung festival was the most important festival of the Sangtams and is celebrated in the 1st week of September annually to seek the blessing of the Almighty.
Principal ITI, Er. Alongse Sangtam proposed the welcome address while vote of thanks was pronounced by Thsapong ex-president.
Invocation was done by Yongrichum, Pastor (SBCM), while benediction was proposed by Tsarila, associate pastor (women).
The celebration was marked by cultural dances followed by Amungmung feast.