The Konyak community of Mon celebrated Lao-Ong Mo festival – a post-harvest festival – at Local Ground on 28 September. The event was organized by Konyak Union.

Lao-Ong Mo marks the culmination of all the activities that have been carried out right after Aoleang Monyu which is observed after the time of sowing seeds in new fields. It is a festival celebrated to mark the abundant harvest of a season and serves as a gesture of both accomplishment and thanksgiving to God for his manifold blessings.

Kaiba Konyak, Social and Cultural Secretary of the Union told Nagaland Tribune that Lao-Ong Mo in biblical context can be disciplined into a mood of thanksgiving to our Almighty for his unfailing grace in blessing our souls in all walks of our lives.

Wetempu – hand spinning of wool into yarn.

Haohju tangme onglak – bamboo climbing competition.

The event was graced by Ajit Kumar Verma, Deputy Commissioner, as the special guest.

After the invocation by Mon Rev Peihwang Wangsha, the Lao-Ong horn was blown by three persons – Khowang, Deputy Angh, Yuching village, Phopha and Shakmei.

Hoka, UEC Member, explained the significance of Lao-Ong during the programme.

As part of the celebration, different groups participated in various traditional games:

Kongkei tangme petlak (walking on bamboo stilts), Wetempu (hand spinning of wool into yarn), Haohju tangme onglak (climbing on oiled bamboo stilts), and Along Shupu (making fire with wood and without any matchsticks).