In a celebration of local culture and the vibrant spirit of the Christmas season, the Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society (MCTS) is set to host the first Ongjinaro Festival on December 14 and 15, 2023, at Süngkotenem Park in the quaint village of Mopungchuket, located just 20 km from Mokokchung town.
This unique festival not only endeavors to boost tourism in Mopungchuket but also seeks to thrust the indigenous ‘Ongjinaro’ (Sarcandra glabra) plant into the limelight, positioning it as a viable cash crop. The Ongjinaro, native to the village, has long adorned homes as a beloved Christmas decoration, earning it the endearing moniker of ‘local holly.’ With the plant becoming a staple in Christmas festivities, Mopungchuket villagers since the early 2000s have been marketing it beyond Mokokchung, reaching as far as Kohima, Dimapur, and beyond.
MCTS has ambitious plans, aiming to forge collaborations with government agencies and interested entities to explore the commercial potential of Ongjinaro. This shade-loving ornamental plant, requiring minimal input for mass propagation and flourishing in rustic homesteads, holds promise not just as a festive adornment but also as a thriving cash crop. To further unlock the benefits of Ongjinaro, the society extends an invitation to biologists and biotech experts to delve into the plant’s potential medicinal properties.
During the two-day Ongjinaro Festival, visitors will have the chance to witness the plant in its natural habitat within charming groves. The festivities will feature an array of attractions, including food stalls offering authentic Ao Naga cuisine alongside fast food options, delectable sticky rice treats, locally sourced dried and dehydrated products, fresh and dried flowers, ethnic handloom and jewelry, handicrafts, music, and an assortment of beverages. Families can enjoy a dedicated kids’ play zone and the immersive experience of a traditional Ao Naga house. As the sun sets on December 15, the festival will crescendo into a lively live music and DJ session, commencing at 5:00 PM.
The inaugural ceremony on December 14 at 10:30 AM will be graced by Tsukti Longkumer, the President of the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), as the special guest.