17th Bishu Mini Hornbill Festival in Dhansiripar concludes

January 29, 2024 17 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | January 29

The 17th Bishu Mini Hornbill Tribal Festival, organised for two days from January 27-28 by the Dimasa Public Organization Nagaland (DPON) and sponsored by the State Department of tourism culminated on Sunday at the government high school playground, Dhansiripar Dimapur.

Minster for Power, Sports and Youth Affairs, Cooperation, Indigenous & Tribal Affairs and Culture, Government of Assam, Nandita Gorlosa was invited as the co-special guest for the event.

In her address to the gathering, the Assam Minister said that Dimapur has been a significant site for the Dimasa community going back to ancient times. Although the Kacharis/Dimasas are considered a minority community in Nagaland, she encouraged them to work hard and co-exist in harmony with the Naga people. She also appreciated the steps taken by the Nagaland government to include the Kacharis during the Hornbill festival which has become a globally recognised event.

Meanwhile guest of honour and Advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu extended her greetings to the Kachari/Dimasa community on the occasion of Bishu. She noted that the Dimasa community is loved and valued not just by the leaders of Nagaland but by Assam as well, particularly it’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

As its area representative, Jakhalu promised to continue working for the interests of the community and urged them to work hard as well in contributing to the state’s progress.

Being among the oldest settlers of Dimapur, she appealed them not to sell off their land and property for short-term monetary gains but utilise it for future generations.

Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports, S Keoshu Yimkhiung, shared on the similar traditions and customs between the Kacharis and the Eastern Nagas. He noted that with the State Government providing funds to organise the mini Hornbill festival, it should not be wasted but utilised, to identify and promote the best cultural troupes to perform at the main Hornbill Festival in Kisama. The origins and meaning behind traditional dances should not be forgotten, he said. As such, the traditional attires, dances or meanings should not be altered or modified but rather be strictly maintained in its original form.

Festivals have many significances but the main target of the festivals such as Bishu should be to ask God’s blessing for the coming New Year, he viewed.

In conclusion, he appreciated the constituency members for electing one of the first two women MLAs to the legislative assembly.

Minister Tourism, Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along who was invited as the co-special guest regarded the Kacharis/Dimasas as an integral community of the state.

“We need to celebrate our uniqueness together respecting each other for the up-liftment of the whole society,” he said.

He added that we are not tribal but an indigenous community, together we will look forward together to showcase our unity, boldness and uniqueness.

The event witnessed a brief presentation of Bishu festival celebration, cultural presentation by Dhansiripar cultural troupe and Doyapur cultural troupe and Rimin Nehlaima (Traditional combat).

At the programme Bishu prayer was proposed by Sibrai Bismai Bosong (SBB) Nagaland Jyodywaj Hasnu, welcome address was delivered by DPON President Ditush Naben, bishu greeting was delivered by Kachari Tribal Council (KTC) Nagaland advisor SK Khemprai and word of gratitude was delivered by DPON vice President Atul Rajiyung.