The Metsübo clan of Longsa Village and the Jamir clan of Ungma Village reaffirmed their Friendship or Peace Treaty on Tuesday at Longsa village, Mokokchung district, which will conclude on 21 February 2024 with a signing ceremony involving both clans from the two villages.
The ceremony is being attended by former Nagaland chief minister Dr SC Jamir, Advisor of Rural Development and SIRD Metsübo Jamir, and former chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS (retd).
In his address concerning, Dr SC Jamir highlighted that the special traditional relationship between the Longsa Metsübo Clan and Ungma Jamijang dates back to the headhunting days when there was warfare between villages even in the Ao area. Despite the rampant conflicts, the villages of Longsa and Ungma maintained peace between them because of an agreement initiated by his grandfather, Jongshinokdang, and Longsa Village’s grandfather, Alemsosang, resolved to uphold “friendship, peace, and harmony” between the two villages to ensure control over the Ao area. He highlighted that since then the clans have been observing this friendship festival.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Dr SC Jamir underscored the need to adapt and strengthen the relationship in the contemporary context, emphasizing peace, harmony, and cooperation not only between the two villages but throughout the entire Ao area and among the Nagas as a whole. He urged everyone to uphold the treaty with conviction and strength, aligning with the vision of their forefathers.
Alemtemshi Jamir appreciated Dr SC Jamir’s participation in the function who despite his age is “still be very committed to the good things happening in the society”. He emphasized the significance of this friendship festival and the presence of Dr SC Jamir and remarked that if there were more peace treaties of this kind between villages and tribes, Nagaland would be “a much better place to live in.”
Representatives from Ungma Village and Longsa Village, Onentiba and Yashikaba respectively, shared the brief background of the friendship treaty between the Ungma Jamijang Clan (Ungma) and the Metsübo Clan (Longsa).
They informed that Jungshinokdang from Ungma Village and Alemsosang from Longsa Village forged a strong friendship in the 1880s to strengthen the bond between the two clans when the Metsübo Clan visited Ungma in 1985 for the peace treaty. Now, after 39 years, the Jamijang Clan of Ungma Village is reciprocating by visiting Longsa Village to reinforce the friendship bond.
In his address, Onentiba from Ungma Village emphasized that the forefathers established the friendship treaty to foster better relationships, urging the younger generation to uphold its sanctity. He highlighted that the treaty was built on a solemn vow to refrain from harming or warring with each other, serving as a bridge to foster goodwill between the two clans.
Similarly, Yashikaba from Longsa Village expressed that the peace treaty aims to benefit the youths of both villages. He noted that there are three kinds of peace treaties and believed that the friendship treaty would yield positive outcomes in the years ahead. He encouraged the younger generation to uphold it for the future.
The event featured traditional folk songs celebrating mutual embrace and praise as participants walked through the village road, visiting the residences of village leaders and in-laws.
