The Porbami Youth Organisation (PYO) held its 12th Cultural Session 2025 on the theme “My Culture, My Identity” on December 17 hosted by Basapu Zo Sporting Club at BZSC Recreational Ground. Neingulie Krome, Joint Secretary, Minority Affairs to the Government was the Guest Speaker while Ciekrohü Chiero, Village Council Chairman, Porba Village was the Guest of honour.
In his address, Neingulie Krome acknowledged the Porbami Youth Organisation and the Cultural Team of Porba village for giving the honour and privilege to be in their midst as the Guest Speaker. He asserted that the bond of brotherhood of the Olden days should be strengthened while adding that the honour he received was not out of his status but because of the brotherhood between his native village Zelome and Porba.
Speaking on the theme, “My Culture, My Identity”, he expressed that the Programme Committee has chosen a very relevant topic as today’s young generation is fast losing its Culture and Identity.
In his speech, he defined ‘Culture’ as the ‘Language we speak, the beliefs we hold unto and the way of life we live’.
In the olden days, he pointed out that, there were no road connectivity, no radio or TV, no telephone or mobile phones and no vehicles, communication and technology was nil but the virtues of honesty, sincerity, hard work and dedication they had was something this present generation lack with all the technology. He therefore, thanked the elders for upholding the virtues and passing it down to the present generation and urged the youths to inculcate all those virtues which has kept culture alive instead of the foreign culture which promotes easy money and all negative aspects in the society.
Speaking about Identity, Krome also noted that “our Mother Tongue is the fundamental aspect of who we are.”
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
He said, “Without the knowledge of our own Mother Tongue, we lose our Identity even if we know so many foreign languages”. He stressed his point by citing examples of Latin Americans, South Indian Tamils and neighbouring Manipuris who give so much importance to their own language.
Noting that modern popular culture or youth culture is influenced by social media and that youths have been idolising western culture, Korean and Japanese, he said that instead of being influenced by those culture, one should promote their very own culture through folklores, folk stories, folk dances and songs.
He further exhorted the youths to discover oneself “as we are living in a very sophisticated world and become torch-bearers by living and maintaining the good virtues and keeping our culture alive.”
In his short speech, Vecuru Dzudo stated the importance of observing our culture and identity while elaborating on how friendships were built in the olden days between villages during the head-hunting period and how they helped each other in times of struggles.
He especially stressed on the brotherhood of the Guest Speaker’s native village Zelome and Porba, where in olden times their amity was well known and their stories passed down through generations.
Earlier, Neingulie Krome hoisted the Organisation Flag. The Programme was chaired by Kuthovo Vadeo, Finance Secretary PYO while Obituary homage was also paid to the souls of all the youths who have gone. Welcome Address and Acknowledgement was delivered by Vecuru Dzudo, President PYO and special appearances were performed by the hosting Khel and the Guest entourage team from Zelome Village.
In the afternoon session, various competitions including folk dance, tug of war, war cry, folk songs etc., were contested between the four khels of the village.
