Dimapur, December 21 (MNews): Not long after the advent of Christianity in their village, Merangkong, a village in Mokokchung district, adopted a unique tradition of heralding Christmas with carols. Every December 25, the villagers from different wards of the village led by marching bands proceed to and merge at the village square culminating in celebrations with pomp and gaiety.
This year, the Merangkongtsür Telongjem Dimapur has organized a similar event led by their own marching bands on December 23 in Dimapur in commemoration of 150 years of advent of Christianity in Nagaland. Starting at 7:00 AM, the march will begin from Old NST Dimapur and back via Flyover, Bata garali, Plaza Police Point and back.
In this respect, the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) appealed to all members of the Ao community in particular, all Naga and non-Naga communities in general to come and participate in this solemn event “to show solidarity and to usher in a new culture of desirable and joyful living during the Christmas season and help in making such events a regular affair in the future.”
“For ages, we have seen religious and other processions being organized by various communities and religions in the main streets of Dimapur. This is for the first time that a Christmas procession of such magnitude is being organized in a city of our own,” DAYO said. “This practice needs to be encouraged,” it added.
“At a time when year after year, Nagas dwelling in Dimapur, especially the youth, have been celebrating Christmas in the most un-Christian manner, such initiatives are timely and should be supported by one and all,” DAYO also said.