The first ever Naga Mircha (King Chilli) Festival was hosted and organised by Seiyhama Village Council and Seiyhama Naga Mircha Growers in the village on 10 September. The festival was sponsored by the department of Horticulture.
Seiyhama village, located in Kohima district in Nagaland, is about 35 kms north of Kohima Town. The geographical location, the soil, the water and the climatic conditions of the village favours the cultivation of the Naga King Chilli and therefore the chilli produced in the village are considered to be amongst the hottest. This first of its kind festival is a thing of pride for the villagers and an encouragement to grow more Naga Mircha.
NDPP 11 NA-II A/C president Vibeilietuo Kets declared the festival open. Speaking at the event as the special guest, he termed the festival “a historic moment” since the people were celebrating the produce of their hard work. He also informed the villagers that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had conveyed his happiness on learning that the festival was being organised.
Kets said that the cultivation of the famous Naga King chilli was picking up and people were realising its market value. He said although many Northern Angami villages cultivate the chilli, Seiyhama village has become the dominant cultivator with a variety of species. He urged the department of horticulture to provide the villagers with necessary technical support and encouraged the villagers to master the traits involved in the cultivation process.
The Naga King chilli is a traditional food item of the Naga people. Used in many forms, fresh, dried, powdered and in pickled forms, Naga Mircha is a stable for many. In 2008, the Government of Nagaland obtained the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the world-renowned chilli.
All the different names by which it is called does it justice as it has constantly been placed on the top five in the list of the world’s hottest chilies based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). Other names of the Naga Mircha are Raja Mircha, Bhut/Bhoot Jolokia, Ghost Chilli and Ghost Pepper.
The Naga Mircha (King Chilli) Festival will be held annually from now on.
