A time for retrospection and revival: Ao community urged to reclaim its values at Moatsü

The Moatsü Festival 2025 (Mini Hornbill), a premier festival of the Ao Naga community, began today at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung organised by Ao Senden under the theme ”Celebrating Our Roots.”

The three-day festival is a “collective celebration initiated by the Ao legislators and the Government of Nagaland.”

Gracing the occasion as Special Guest was Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. In his address, he reflected on the deeper meaning of seeking blessings during festivals. There are two ways to seek blessings, he said – One is to realise the blessings we are already bestowed with, and the other is to pursue blessings through a shared vision and common goals. He reminded the gathering that their ancestors led society with clarity and purpose, and that today’s generation must engage in both introspection and retrospection to understand where those footsteps have led.

In a rapidly transforming world, Longkumer observed, people often become consumed by their desires, forgetting the value of what they already possess.

He stressed the importance of understanding the present societal context in order to envision a better future. Desire and need are not the same, he noted, while cautioning against losing sight of identity amid modernisation and digitalisation. “This should be a time of deep retrospection – of what we have, where we stand, and what direction we are taking,” he said.

He also said that Ao Senden is approaching its 50th anniversary, marking a crucial time for collective reflection and vision. He called to let this be a time of awakening and revival, to uphold the values passed down through generations and guide the youth with purpose.

Earlier in the programme, Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung Thsuvisie Phoji delivered the welcome address, while Limanungsang, DB, spoke on the cultural significance of Moatsü. Musical performances included the “Moatsü Naklu” folk song performed by the Mokokchung District GB Association and a special number by Note Grid School of Music. The festivities also featured indigenous games and an inter-ward tug-of-war competition, which was officially launched by Imkongmar, MLA and Advisor for Sericulture and Minority Affairs.

Another highlight of the event was the inauguration of stalls by the Special Guest Sharingain Longkumer.

Later in the evening, an inter-ward folk song competition was held, with over 550 men and women participating. The event, graced by TN Mannen, IAS, Advisor for Law & Justice and Land Revenue, also featured a special appearance by Dreamz Unlimited.

Meanwhile, Sungkomen and Salangtem wards emerged as the finalists of the inter-ward tug-of-war competition. The final will be held tomorrow.

In the indigenous games competitions, Asetkong Kaketshir Telungjem Mungdang (AKTM) won the spear competition (Nü Tsüshishi), with Tzürangkong Kaketshir Telungjem (TKM) finishing as runner-up. In the machete competition (Nokjem), Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM) secured first place, while AKTM took second. In the rice winnowing (Jang Sepa Litet) competition, AKTM claimed first prize, followed by Langpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (LKM) in second place.

In the inter-ward folk song competition, Salangtem, Mongsenbai, and Tongdentsuyong wards won first, second, and third place honours, respectively.

MT