The 2-day Tsokum Festival 2023 hosted by Thang Range Public Organisation (TRPO) concluded on Thursday in Noklak district. The premier festival of the Khiamniungan community reflected ‘Unity in Diversity’ with four villages- Thang Village, Thangnokyan village, Nokshu (Nokyan B) village and Kusong village coming together.

The final day of the festival begun with around 450 male folks, both young and old, partaking in buffalo-pulling starting from early morning taking almost one hour to reach the destination at Buchesouh Gound. The ceremony was successfully executed with zeal and enthusiasm without any injury or accident. The purpose was to conduct feast of merit ceremony by killing the very animal.

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P Longon, MLA and Chairman DPDB Noklak District graced the Tsokum Festival as the Guest of Honour. In his address, he stressed on the right way of practicing cultures and urged the younger generation to never lose the values of one’s culture. He also reminded on how the forefathers had lived with great respect for traditions and culture despite lack of formal education. Asserting that the fast transition of time has affected the younger generation, Longon lamented on the fear of collapse of traditions and cultures which has affected Khiamniungans as whole.

While appreciating the TRPO for taking up great initiatives, the MLA urged the community to be united as District HQ under the guidance of the District Administration. He also highlighted the importance of celebrating festivals which should be initiated by all the villages.

P Longon, MLA and Chairman of Noklak DPDB (Top L); L Butang, Advisory Board Member, TRPO (Top R)

L Butang, Advisory Board Member, TRPO highlighted the significance of Tsokum Festival saying that the festival is celebrated with praying and worship the Almighty God for bountiful harvest, declaring the time for harvest. The festival marks the onset of winter season for merry making such as traditional games and sports, singing and dancing events, he added.

Tsokum Festival allows the villages to collect and bring in house-building materials inside the village. Butang further enlightened that during the festival, the rich share their bounty with fellow villages and initiating community work such as village approach and road construction etc.

On Thursday, the cultural exhibition included cultural dance performed by Thangnokyan Village Guard, Noklak Village Guard, Thangnokyan Menyiu Hoikam and KMH Kusong Unit. The grand festival finally concluded with a great feast.

Read more: Celebrating Tsokum festival: Thang Range Public Organisation organises Tsokum