The Ungma Village Council on April 29 announced that the 25th anniversary celebration of Rüna Khrietho–Maong Aksü, commemorating 25 years of friendship between Ungma and Tuophema villages, will be held on May 2, 2026 at Yimtsungda Arok Sabang (Amphitheatre), Ungma, on the theme “Kaamzemshi,” an Ao term meaning “to bolster amity” or “holding tight by the hand.”

Addressing a press conference at the Ungma Rural Assembly Hall, Council Chairman of Ungma and Convener of the Planning Committee, Sutsüngkaba Longkumer, invited all Nagas and well-wishers to witness the occasion commemorating the long-standing friendship between the two villages.

The official celebration on May 2 will be attended by Chief Minister,  Neiphiu Rio as Special Guest, former Chief Minister S. C. Jamir as Honoured Dignitary, and Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly,  Sharingain Longkumer as Chief Host, along with other dignitaries and invited guests.

Rongsenmayang Pongener, Convenor of the Programme Committee, Assistant Director of Art & Culture and member of the Planning Committee, stated that the anniversary theme “Kaamzemshi” signifies the strengthening and renewal of unity between the two villages.

“The meaning of the theme is ‘holding tight by the hand.’ After the celebration of this 25th anniversary, we hope to re-strengthen the unity between Ungma village and Tuophema village. We hope that this friendship will continue not only for these two villages but contribute something positive for the Nagas in general,” he said.

He informed that around 200 delegates from Tuophema village are expected to participate in the celebration. Of the total, around 100 will comprise students, cultural troupe members and participants who are expected to arrive on April 30 or on the morning of May 1 and stay through the official programme. Another delegation led by the Chairman of Tuophema Village Council, Special Guest, including elders and cultural troupe members, is expected to arrive on the morning of May 2.

Rongsenmayang further informed that nearly 500 invitees, including dignitaries, professionals and guests from different walks of life, have also been invited for the occasion.

As part of the anniversary observance, Tuophema village will visit Ungma on May 1 and 2. A friendship meet, social and cultural exchange programme between the Soyim Students’ Union and Tuophema Students’ Union will be held under the theme “Synergy in Cultural Heterogeneity” on the evening of May 1 at Naro Tekong Tourist Centre, Ungma.

The students’ exchange programme would include presentations on “A Tale of Tuophema Village” and “A Tale of Ungma Village,” along with theme speeches during the first session. The second session will consist of a round table discussion, while the third session will feature an extravaganza event with participation of invited artistes including Youth Icon Awardee 2025 and Global Ambassador of MasterPeace (COO Leader) Imnaienla Jamir and Lenen Jamir, among others.

Speaking on the student exchange initiative, Rongsenmayang said the interaction between the student bodies of the two villages had strengthened ties among the younger generation.

“The Soyim students had previously visited Tuophema village, and now the Tuophema students will be visiting Ungma. Through these programmes the student bodies have become known to each other and have developed friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood. They are beginning to feel like one family,” he said.

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He added that the initiative was helping the younger generation develop a broader understanding of unity and diversity and encouraging them to carry forward the spirit of peaceful coexistence in the future.

He further informed that after the completion of the official programme, proceedings and deliberations would be documented and a resolution committee would be constituted to adopt one or two resolutions. According to him, the resolutions are intended not only for the two villages but also for the welfare of the Nagas in general.

Providing historical and cultural background of Maong Aksü, Tiajungba, Tatar and Convener of the Souvenir Committee, stated that “Maong means blessing, while Aksü refers to the giving of a pig to the friendship counterpart, after which it is divided equally into two parts.”

He explained that the practice symbolises goodwill, equality and mutual respect.

“The aims and objectives of this Maong Aksü are not for personal gain or prestige but to achieve peaceful co-existence,” he said, recalling that the initiative began during a period when Nagaland was witnessing social and political instability.

Tiajungba detailed the history of interactions between the two villages, stating that the friendship traces back to February 26, 2001, during the Sekrenyi festival at Tuophema village, when a delegation of 42 elders (tatars) from Ungma visited Tuophema.

The event was attended by Dr S C Jamir former Chief Minister and former Governor of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Odisha, and recipient of the Padma Bhushan Award,as Chief Guest while Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was serving as the then Home Minister under the Congress-led government.

The friendship exchange continued with a reciprocal visit by Tuophema village to Ungma in 2012 during the Moatsü festival. Another joint interaction involving elders and student bodies was held in 2022 when Ungma village visited Tuophema.

He stated that the cultural exchange has consistently focused on celebrating Maong Aksü, promoting cultural tourism and strengthening unity among different Naga communities.

Nungsang Jamir, Secretary of the Ungma Village Council, described the upcoming celebration as a significant milestone in the relationship between the two villages.

“On the 2nd of May, 2026, we are going to celebrate the Rüna Khrietho–Maong Aksü, marking 25 glorious years of friendship between Tuophema village and Ungma village,” he said.

He reiterated “apart from the special Guest, Honoured Dignitary, we are also expecting many more dignitaries and leaders to attend the celebration,” he said, adding that the Ungma Village Council and the people of Ungma are preparing to receive the visiting delegations and guests.