Ngada festival begins at Tseminyu, heralds unity, peace

November 28, 2023 22 Views No Comment

Our Correspondent
Tseminyu | November 28

In unison, the Rengma Nagas, both young and old in their traditional fineries today gathered for the two day long Ngada celebration at RSA Ground, Tseminyu. The Ngada procession marked the commencement of the two day festivity, which was also joined by Tseminyu Deputy Commissioner Rohit Singh as the special guest.

Rengma youth joins indigenous game-high kick on day one of Ngada festival on November 27 in Tseminyu. (Morung Photo)

Speaking on the occasion, Singh expressed happiness over the coming together of both young and old for the celebration. Stressing on the need to preserve and promote culture and traditions, he hoped that the Ngada festival will usher unity and strengthen friendship and peace among the people.

Earlier, Kegwanye Kent pronounced traditional blessings while Sentilo Wanth, Treasurer, Rengma Hoho performed traditional yodeling. The programme was chaired by Rengma Hoho Cultural Secretary Kehoyi Kez. Day one was also marked by Ngada indigenous games competition in events like Tug of War, Bamboo- Pole Climbing, Bamboo- stilt walking race, high- kick and howling & yodeling.

Men in traditional attire undertake a procession during the Ngada celebration in Tseminyu on November 26. (Morung Photo)

Grand Ngada celebration on Nov 28
The grand Ngada celebration will take place on November 28 from 11:00 AM with Nagaland Power & Parliamentary Affairs Minister KG Kenye as the special guest and Jwenga Seb, MLA as host.

Pledge on Tseminyu District Green Initiative will also be taken during the celebration.

Kenneth Kath, President, Rengma Selo Zi said the organizer has imposed plastic free Ngada festival this year to carry forward the goals of Tseminyu District Green Initiatives.

Tseminyu District Green Initiatives aim to nurture an environment that provides an equitable quality of life in harmony with nature for all its citizens and makes the district a pioneer for green initiatives.

The goal of the 1st Phase (2023-2030) of Tseminyu District Green Initiatives is to foster new environmental consciousness and awareness among the people by increasing their knowledge levels, green cover, carbon sink capacity, and the biodiversity of the district. The initiative aims to preserve and maintain the rich forest biodiversity and spring water sources of the district, ensuring the people inherit a rich natural heritage and have water security for consumption.

Day two of the celebration will also be marked by cultural performance and Ngada feast. Ngada Music Fest under the aegis of TaFMA Tseminyu chapter will start from 5:00 PM onwards. It will feature Moko Koza, Brahmos, Ethnic Fusion and others. Tseminyu Additional Deputy Commissioner Longasen Lotha will be the special guest.

About Ngada festival
Ngada is the premier festival of Rengma Nagas and is celebrated in the last part of November every year, when the year-long hard toiled crops are collected from field to the granaries.

Ngada Festival is a celebration of the post-harvest with thanksgiving to God for bountiful blessings. ‘Nga’ means festival and ‘Da’ means series of celebrations.

During the festival, the village menfolk dress up in full traditional attire carrying various weapons to display by undertaking a procession through the whole village with singing and dancing, firing guns, visiting every household.

The following day of the Ngada festival marks the end of the year and the New Year begins with cutting of new fields selected for cultivation for the year ahead with observation of rituals for bountiful harvest and protection of crops.

During the festival, sharing of food and drinks with relatives, friends and invitees/ guests shows that any misunderstandings, disassociations during the past years are reconciled, restored and renewed. It also marks the beginning of new relationships and peace treaties.

Traditionally, the Rengmas believe that during the Ngada festival, the death souls visit the family and enjoy the celebration during the festival. Therefore as sign of respect and remembrance, the families clean the graveyards and offer a piece of meat and drinks to the graveyard during the festival.

While cultivating fields with groups, doing trade and business, hunting together with the community, if anyone has hurt another intentionally or unintentionally, it should be forgiven and forgotten; invoking a new spirit of goodwill and more understanding to welcome the new year.