Retrospection of culture: Day–2 of AKTM General Conference

Mokokchung: Guru S Pangyang Ozukum, president of the Asetkong Union, asserted that retrospection of the past cultural days has been neglected and encouraged the gathering to ponder on it

BY | Thursday, 12 January, 2023
Cultural Road Show event: playing drumheads with felt-tipped mallets.

The second day of the Asetkong Kaketshir Telongjem Mungdang (AKTM) 43rd General Conference was held on the topic ‘Lipok Penzü Anogo’ (In retrospect of cultural day).

Hundreds of people along with the delegates representing the different units gathered in Mopungchuket village, Mokokchung, to witness the cultural event on 11 January.

Guru S Pangyang Ozukum, president of the Asetkong Union, while delivering the significance of the day informed that “lipok” means “soil origin” and “lisang” means “civilization” and said the first identity of Lipok-lisang is its culture that includes all the cultural characteristics.

Guru S Pangyang Ozukum, president of the Asetkong Union.

He said from the days of the forefathers, cultural attires reflected the norms and cultural values and were taken seriously. He asserted that retrospection of the past cultural days has been neglected and encouraged the gathering to ponder on it, stating that it will not harm the present. He further encouraged the people to adapt one’s culture along with the growing world.

Ozukum stressed on the use of and the speaking of one’s mother tongue and advised the people to be proud of it which, he said, is the need of the hour. He also encouraged the gathering to preserve the indigenous games and cultural practices.

He further challenged the AKTM to foster cultural behaviours and cultural addressal of elders, adding that it is high time for cultural retrospection and rejuvenation.

Nungdokyanger Ao, president of the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), stated that cultural and moral values are decaying day by day. “It is a good time to preserve our culture, only you and I can preserve our cultural identity,” he said.

Nungdokyanger Ao, president of the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM).

He said the need of the hour is documentation of our cultural competence. He went on to say that self-dependency should be inculcated by each individual. The first priority for a student is to understand oneself, choose vision and work with commitment towards the goal, Ao stated.

Stating that students should be smart, innovative and distinctive from another, the AKM president urged the students to bring out befitting professions from one’s own suited personality.

Cultural Road Show: Unit presentation of indigenous songs.

During the session, Lanulemba Jamir, president of AKTM, gave the conference call.

The day started with various cultural road shows from all the units under Asetkong Kaketshir Telongjem Mungdang (AKTM) which included indigenous songs, pulling of the traditional log drum, playing drumheads with felt-tipped mallets or wooden sticks and cultural folk dance among others.

The day also witnessed competitions on various cultural events held at Süngko Tenem, Mopungchuket.

The competitions for women were:

Jang Sepa Litet (Winnowing of grains) for women

Shizüng Tsüktep (Beachcomber seeds ticking Competition) for women

Sü-araba (Loinloom craft) for women

Winnowing of grains (top) and traditional spear throwing (bottom).

The competitions for men were:

Rongnü Asukba (Bamboo Slicing craft) for men

Kara Tsüng Asemtep (Bamboo walk) for men

Nü-tsütep (Spear throw) for men

The day also held Arr Atütepba (Traditional Tug of War), a competition for both men and women

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