Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers Yanthungo Patton and T R Zeliang, Nagaland Congress President S Supongmeren Jamir, and Eastern Command, Indian Army have attended greetings to the Phom, Chang and Konyak communities on the occasion of their festivals.
P. Bashang Chang, Minister, NPWD Housing & Mechanical Engineering, H Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA & Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election, Er. Kropol Vitsu, MLA & Advisor for Prisons, Printing & Stationery, MP (Rajya Sabha) S Phangnon Konyak, and Temjem Imna Along, Minister of Tourism & Higher Education Minister too extended warm greetings on the occasion.
Monyu is the premier festival of the Phom community which is celebrated in the month of April after the sowing of paddy seeds. It is celebrated for six days during which prayers are made for bountiful harvest along with feasting, singing and dancing. It is also a festival where gifts and food items are shared with elders, families and friends to show endearment.
Kundaglün is a significant festival of the Chang community which involves rituals to invoke blessings for a successful year and plentiful harvest, forging ahead with renewed vigour. The festival that marks the end of the cold winter season and beginning of the warm days also commemorate the completion of the building of resting huts in the fields.
Aoleang is the most important festival for the Konyak community, observed after the sowing of seeds in the fields. The festival is celebrated for six days with each day carrying its own significance, customs, rituals and merry making. Aoleang marks the beginning of a new year where people pray for a bountiful harvest. The festival also showcases the rich cultural heritage with indigenous songs, dances and games.