The 25th anniversary celebration of Rüna Khrietho – Maong Aksü, commemorating 25 years of friendship between Ungma and Tuophema villages, coinciding with the Moatsü festival, was celebrated at Yimtsungda Arok Sabang (Amphitheatre), Ungma, on the theme “Kaamzemshi,” an Ao term meaning “to bolster amity.”

Hosted by the Ungma Village Council, the occasion was attended by Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio as the Special Guest, former Chief Minister of Nagaland and former Governor of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Odisha, Dr SC Jamir as the Honoured Dignitary, and Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer as the Chief Host. Among those present were Minister for Roads & Bridges, G Kaito Aye; Advisor for Minority Affairs and Sericulture, Imkongmar; Advisor for Water Resources Tongpang Ozukum; Advisor for Information Technology & Communication Economics & Statistics and Evaluation, H Sethrongkyu Sangtam, along with other distinguished guests and invitees.

In his address, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described Moatsü as one of the most important festivals of the Ao community and said the celebration reflected the rich traditions, culture and heritage of the Nagas.

He said the unique identity, customary practices and traditional systems of the Nagas had been protected since the British period and said, “They recognised us and gave us protection because we are unique and different. Though they ruled us, they did not interfere into our local administration, our system and our customary laws.”

Rio stated that the continued observance of festivals such as Moatsü symbolised the preservation of Naga identity and cultural values. Referring to the agricultural significance of the festival, he said Moatsü marked the completion of the sowing season and expressed hope for a good harvest with the blessing of timely rainfall.

“It is not only a celebration, but it gives colour to our rich tradition and culture,” he said, adding that the festival strengthened the bond between the people, the land and their traditions, while also passing on the values of unity, harmony and hard work to the younger generation.

Extending Moatsü greetings on behalf of himself and his colleagues, Rio also spoke on the silver jubilee celebration of friendship between Ungma and Tuophema villages. He termed the 25 years of friendship as a significant milestone and said the occasion provided an opportunity to “retrospect and introspect so that we can carry forward our friendship and tradition.”

Recalling the origin of the bond between the two villages, Rio referred to the Sekrenyi festival celebration held at Tuophema on February 26, 2001, where Dr SC Jamir along with leaders and members from Ungma village had participated. He said the exchange later developed into a formal friendship between the two villages.

“Touphema making friendship with Ungma is making friendship with all the Aos through Ungma, and Ungma making friendship through Touphema is making friendship with all the Angamis and Tenyimis,” Rio said.

He also recalled that during the following year, leaders from both villages gathered to formalise the friendship through traditional practices, where “one pig was slaughtered, sacrificed and divided into half,” with one half retained by Ungma and the other given to Tuophema, symbolising brotherhood and friendship.

Rio said that for the past 25 years, both villages had continued to exchange visits during festivals and important occasions, expressing hope that the relationship would continue for generations to come. He expressed happiness over the participation of youth and students from Tuophema during the ongoing celebration and said the younger generation would carry forward the legacy of friendship.

“I’m sure the younger generation, the youth and the students, will be looking forward to the golden jubilee, 50 years anniversary of our friendship,” he said.

Calling for unity among the Nagas, Rio said the spirit of friendship between Ungma and Tuophema should extend beyond the two villages and communities. He expressed hope that such relationships would strengthen peace, brotherhood and unity among the Nagas while preserving their history, identity, customary laws and traditions.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the host village, Ungma, for organising the celebration and hosting guests and dignitaries. Referring to the gifting of ancestral land to organisations including ENPO, CNTC and TUN during the programme, Rio described the gesture as “historic” and said it would further strengthen unity and oneness among the Naga people.

“As I appeal, friendship between two villages of Aos and Angamis is friendship between the Ao tribe, Angamis and Tenyimis,” he said, adding that such bonds should continue to grow so that “Nagas will get blessing” and greater unity in the future.

Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Chief Host, Sharingain Longkumer in his address said the friendship bond between Ungma and Tuophema villages was established 25 years ago during one of the most turbulent periods in Nagaland’s history with the vision of promoting Naga unity, peace and progress.

“Time and faith brought together two great leaders of our times in establishing a friendship bond between two villages 25 years ago,” he said.

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Longkumer noted that the friendship was initiated when Dr SC Jamir was the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Neiphiu Rio was serving as Home Minister. He expressed hope that the bond would continue to strengthen in the years ahead “for the future and progress of our young Naga generation,” based on “mutual respect, diversity and unity of our one Naga family.”

He also thanked the organising and planning committee led by the Ungma Village Council for successfully organising the celebration and hosting guests and dignitaries from across the state.

Extending Moatsü greetings to the people of Tuophema and all those present, Longkumer prayed for continued blessings upon the friendship between the two villages and for peace and progress in Nagaland.

Former Chief Minister, Dr SC Jamir speaking on “reminiscence” reflected on the long standing friendship and relationship between the two villages and the very essence of uniting the two village for greater “Naga Unity.”

Greeting messages were delivered by G Kaito Aye and Pfudouhou Kense, Chairman of Tuophema Village Council. A souvenir commemorating the silver jubilee celebration was released during the programme by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who had earlier inaugurated a monolith marking the auspicious occasion.

As part of the observance, the Rüna Khrietho–Maong Aksü ceremony was conducted by Imtidongba Jamir, Tatar, Aola, Ungma.

“Maong” signifies “blessing,” while “Aksü” refers to the traditional practice of presenting one whole slaughtered pig to the friendship counterpart village. The pig was divided into two equal halves and was shared between Tuophema and Ungma villages. The exchange symbolises goodwill, equality, mutual respect and the strengthening of inter-village ties.

The occasion also witnessed a historic moment. As a symbolic gesture towards unity and brotherhood among the Nagas, three landowners from Ungma village donated plots of land (100×100) to three public organisations: Eastern Public Organization (ENPO), Central Naga Tribal Council (CNTC) and Teniymi Union, Nagaland (TUN), working for the welfare of the people of Nagaland.

Earlier, Rev T Wati Longkumer, Pastor of Ungma Baptist Arogo pronounced the invocation, followed by a welcome address delivered by Alemtoshi Imsong, Tatar.

The formal occasion witnessed folk dance performances by the Tuophema Cultural Troupe and Kongshir. Sutsungkaba Longkumer, Chairman of Ungma Village Council and Convenor of the Planning Committee delivered the vote of thanks followed by a benediction by Rev Talijungla Longkumer, Associate Pastor, Women Ministry, Ungma Baptist Arogo. A cultural exchange and Rüna Khrietho-Maong Aksü feast followed the formal programme.