Our culture, tradition and language are the foundations upon which we define our identity. Holding this thought close to our hearts, allow us to take you to a journey, into the land of our rich and unique heritage, through the contributions of Ao folk songs made by two highly endowed personalities: Noksangpokla Imsong and Pangerangshi Kichu.
Noksangpokla Imsong (76), of Ungma Village, is an enduring personality, who is well-known for her cultural, ethnic, and folk song compositions. She has contributed immensely towards preserving and enriching our cultural heritage through her works.
Regardless of her advanced age, she still continues with her compositions and is a lifetime member of ‘Naga Wadir Sobaliba Club, Ungma’. She has also served as the Tongti Zülur (General Secretary) during the 9th Watsü Mungdang (1990-91).
Much to our privilege, we would like to share with our readers some of her contributions to Mokokchung Times:
Mangkotepsü ken:
Longteroko poker, menang ali tetenzükdang;
Ako tesaksüba jitakor anar lisor,
Orong sharir den zunisika tongtep-akoni.
Oh, Jungliyimtitsüri ayu lemtettsüba,
Shari tongpang koker arr ngainer nem mangkotep sü/
Jenkutep sü atatsüti ta lemtettsü- koni
Gist:
After the establishment of Longterok by our ancestors, the men of the tribe fought against the enemies like fierce tigers everyday and vanquished them all. Hence, the young ladies of Jungliyimti sang this song to the warriors who returned victorious. And thereby, they decided to ornate the warriors with the mangkotep sü/tsüngkotep sü (shawls) to honor them.
Suyim akümba ken:
Longteroko pokar Aor-lu pongzü samen,
Tepu arungteper ludi asem shendarji,
Jila jidi langpang-latet-joker, kupu
Jupusang nur, tepa longla laa-kang
Aonglenden tema-pa nung atenshi-nagoni.
Kubu Benpotangi menang jongpong nuko
ebangerbo ako jangrangpong medem
Ayak tapensaki atenshi-na-goni.
Rusang O Mangyanger, Anungdangsang nur bola,
mangko ata-a shemali konang atema
Wawa longsotepra ni
Oh nüko ka nung anu-ter-a mebujini,
ajikia soyapokyali Suyim yimkong-a ta tenüng jagoni.
Gist:
After originating from Longterok, the Ao people settled in Jungliyimti and established their distinct identity with traditions and various cultural attires for every clan. But, the population of the tribe grew enormously, and therefore, the search for a new and ideal settlement for the tribe began. Finally, they found Aonglenden suitable and decided to settle there. While there, ten baby boys were born on the same day and hence they decided to name the place ‘Suyim’.
At 61, Pangerangshi Kichu, of Chungtia village, is the treasurer of Yimmongdong Cultural Society, Chungtia. With the wisdom, experience and traditional knowledge he has gained over the years, he has reached great heights in terms of showcasing our rich cultural heritage.
The Yimmongdong Cultural Society, Chungtia, after winning the Republic Day Cultural Competition Celebration in 2010 at Mokokchung, represented the district the same year in the state’s largest annual festival- the Hornbill Festival. Following this, they also performed during the Bihu festival which was celebrated in Majuli Island, Assam.
Pangerangshi is also the former Assistant General Secretary of Ongpangkong Mungdang (1998-2000 tenure) and later in 2000, became the General Secretary.
When the Mokokchung Times team approached him, he happily and willingly contributed his invaluable time and his folk-song compositions which we would love to share with our readers:
Ni Waza Ja-ye-sang
A-len tzü yong-oüv waza
Yimla no-nü jongbong tebenzoni
Kü Jangyü-ang penli-ang oni
Gist:
The song talks about how, if he would be a bird, he would be the one that feed on the gutter. That way, he would ask the children in the village to watch not the mithuns, but him frolic.
Lo-nü wali temein za
Ki nü tsüka yangro-er kiza
Yamang rali nü jendongbang zala
Sanger lingjongbang zoni
sü kü mejene-o naro
Gist :
The song is an ode to a lady, the singer immortalizing her for her alluring beauty. The singer talks about how her presence brightens the fields and the home, making them welcoming and homely. Yamang rali nü jendongbang zala means, “As the night descent, you make the bed glow,” showing how awe-struck he is with her beauty. The concluding line of the song reflects his inability to stop his praises for her as he compares her to a flower that would never wither away.