DIMAPUR, Jan 22 - The Rongmei Naga tribe of Dimapur celebrated their all-important Chakan Gaan-Ngai festival with great zeal and enthusiasm at Rongmei Tribal Court premises, Burma Camp, here today.
The celebration began with traditional fire-making followed by Rongmei traditional dances and songs by cultural troupes of the tribe. Rongmeis, both young and old, from all over Dimapur and nearby Peren district gathered at the venue in their traditional finery to celebrate the festival.
A post-harvest festival, the Rongmei tribe also celebrate it to foster brotherhood, to seek forgiveness for their past mistakes and for reconciliation among different sections of people besides praying for their people who passed away in the preceding year.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, local MLA and Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation chairman H Tovihoto Awomi said Nagas are blessed to have their own rich culture and tradition.
Stressing on preserving Naga tradition and culture, Awomi said, �If we want others to respect us, we must first learn to respect our own tradition, culture and identity.� Awomi also released a Rongmei folk song album produced by Rongmei Council Nagaland on the occasion.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Thaban Rongmei, president of Rongmei Council Dimapur while G Namgai, president of Rongmei Naga People�s Organisation, enlightened the gathering on the significance of Chakan Gaan-Ngai festival.
