The Doyang Folk Festival, held from February 26 to 28, 2025, came to a close today with a valedictory function at Doyang. The event was presented by Team Metamorphosis and powered by the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland. The function was graced by T. Lemlila Sangtam, NCS, Deputy Secretary, Department of Tourism, as the Special Guest.
In her speech, T. Lemlila Sangtam expressed her deep appreciation for the festival, which showcased the cultural significance of the Lotha Naga tribe. She commended Team Metamorphosis for their dedication and effort in organising the event and highlighted the importance of preserving Naga folk culture in a rapidly modernising society.
Sangtam further emphasised the role of elders and younger generations in keeping traditions alive, urging the community to work closely with organisations like Team Metamorphosis and local administrators to ensure the continued vitality of Naga culture. She also encouraged the sharing and showcasing of Naga traditions with visitors from near and far, noting that folk traditions are handed down orally from generation to generation, preserving the cultural identity of the Naga people.
Renbomo Ezung, Additional Deputy Commissioner Wokha, expressed his gratitude to Team Metamorphosis for organising the event, stressing the importance of reconnecting with one’s cultural roots. He urged the younger generation to take ownership of preserving their culture, language, and traditions, lest they lose their identity.
Dr. Thungbemo Kyong, Chief Team Metamorphosis, delivered the salutatory address, where he reflected on the team’s 20-year journey of social responsibility, with a particular focus on the preservation of Naga culture. Kyong highlighted the growing threat to indigenous cultures posed by modern influences and expressed the team’s commitment to safeguarding Naga traditions, not only through folk dances and songs but also by promoting the indigenous way of life, such as crafts, cotton spinning, and weaving, as demonstrated during the festival.
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Team Metamorphosis, which has been actively working towards cultural preservation for over a decade, thanked the Department of Tourism for its unwavering support. Kyong noted that while the turnout for this year’s festival may not have met their expectations, the event marked a significant first step towards a greater vision of preserving Naga identity for future generations.
The event was anchored by Thungchibemo Lotha, HR TM, and Jennifer R. Humtsoe TM, Consecration Prayer by Yanchipeni Sangtam, Children’s Pastor, UBC Doyang, followed by Special Presentation by the winner of the Folk Song Competition
The function concluded with an expression of gratitude by Achanbeni Lotha, Secretary General, Team Metamorphosis, followed by the Benediction. The event also featured an exhibition of Rice pounding alongside a Festive Feast. Over the course of the three-day festival, participants competed in a range of traditional events, including Folk Tale Competition, Folk Song, Folk Song Fusion, Cotton Yarn Spinning, Folk Dance, Rice Pounding & Winnowing, Spelling Bee, Knitting, Indigenous Fire Making, Stilt Bamboo Walk, Sharpest Dao Contest, Spear Throw, Wooden & Craft Making, and Ululating.
