The Lhisemia community of the Kohima village on Saturday celebrated the Angami premier Sekrenyi festival at TM School Ground organised by the Lhisemia Youth Organisation (LYO) and Lhisemia Students Union (LSU).

Addressing the occasion, Ayie Yhome, Chairman Lhisemia Council called upon the members to forgive and reconcile for the differences during the election to move forward in the interest and welfare of the clan and village.

He appreciated the youth for organising the programme with a vision adding that the festival is being organised for posterity to pass on the rich heritage.

Viewing that many are forgetting their roots and their culture while many also argue of celebrating Sekrenyi as believers of Christ, Yhome said book knowledge should go hand in hand with knowing one’s culture which are priceless treasures.

Maintaining that education is flourishing in almost all households, he said it should encompass wisdom and also grow in one’s faith.

Education without knowing one’s culture is incomplete likewise for education to be complete need to be in tandem with one’s root, thus letting children experience on their own will provide a platform for exposure and impact on them for life-long.

Yhome expressed concern that if one does not know one’s custom, traditions, culture, dresses and language, one will lose one’s identity in the midst of the present situation where many are facing identity crisis.

He asserted the need to understand one’s own language – Tenyidie and stressed on the role of parents to emphasize speaking Tenyidie at home first, while he also pointed out the need for learning English language.

The chairman said Sekrenyi is the premier festival of the Angami community and exhibits to the children to understand one’s culture better and not necessarily merry making with drinks and drunkenness.

Further he also commended the efforts of the organisers for exhibiting various games and dresses and motifs.

On the occasion, Mhasimhalie Yhome, President Lhisemia Youth Organisation (LYO) delivered greetings, festival blessing was invoked by Krutuolie Yhome, L Khel Head GB, folk songs were presented by LSU, Khierei Krotho and Seyiekruonuo Yhome.

The programme was chaired by Dzüvinguzo Mepfhuo, Convenor LSU 75th Anniversary Organising Committee and vote of thanks was proposed by Dziesekhrietuo Khruomo, President LSU.

The occasion was marked by exhibition of the various dresses and ornaments worn by boys from different stages of manhood and girls to womanhood which was led by Neitseizonuo Liezietsu while there were also competitions on go-karting and tug-of-war competitions and other indigenous games.