The second day of the Ngada Festival on 28 November 2025 unfolded at 10:00 AM with a spirit of reverence, cultural pride and collective aspiration. The programme was chaired by Timothy Thong, Vice President of the Rengma Hoho, who welcomed participants and set the tone for a day dedicated to unity and cultural reaffirmation. The gathering began with an invocation prayer led by Rev. Tusaya Kath, Pastor of AG Church, Tseminyu Town, invoking blessings for the people and the celebrations ahead.
In his welcome address, Rengma Hoho President Er. Tesinlo Semy expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and guests present. He highlighted the significance of Ngada as a festival rooted in thanksgiving and harmony, reminding the audience that the celebration represents the collective identity and resilience of the Rengma community.
Ngada greetings were then offered by leaders representing Naga civil society organisations. Thejao Vihienuo, President of the Angami Public Organization, and Dr. Vihuto Asumi, President of Sümi Hoho, extended their heartfelt wishes and emphasized the importance of inter-tribal solidarity. They encouraged the Rengma people to continue preserving their cultural heritage while strengthening bonds with other Naga tribes.
Hon’ble MLA and DPDB Chairman of Tseminyu, Ar. Jwenga Seb, delivered an address as the host of the event. He acknowledged the vibrancy of Ngada and reaffirmed the commitment of the government and community to support and uplift indigenous traditions. His words underscored the role of unity, leadership and development in shaping the future of Tseminyu and its people.
The cultural segment began with a Rengma Folk Fusion performance presented by “The Willing Souls,” which captivated the audience through rhythm and tradition. This was followed by a cultural presentation from Tseminyu Village, further reaffirming the living heritage of the community.
The day’s most anticipated address came from the Special Guest, Minister C. L. John. Extending warm wishes and a heartfelt “Happy Ngada,” he reflected on Ngada as a post-harvest festival and traced its journey from ancient practice to its present form. He emphasized how the festival, once rooted strictly in tribal customs, has transformed with the coming of Christianity—today celebrated in unity, peace and coexistence.
John noted that despite Nagaland’s rich cultural mosaic of languages and rituals, unity remains an ongoing challenge. He cautioned that divisions and “isms” within Naga society hinder true peace. Only when these divisions are overcome, he said, can coexistence and harmony flourish. Speaking on the “Festival of Festivals,” he praised the vision of the Chief Minister, noting that it has allowed the world to recognize the Nagas and their culture on the global stage.
Calling for a faith-centred community life, John encouraged the audience to keep Christianity at the core, describing it as the foundation for unity and reconciliation. He highlighted the blessings enjoyed by the Rengma people—their advantageous location, natural resources and community strengths—and urged them to be peacemakers among other tribes. Unity, he stressed, is not the responsibility of a few leaders but of every Naga, and each individual must contribute to its realization.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hanenmu Semy, Vice President of the Rengma Hoho, followed by the Prayer for Ngada and the benediction by Pastor Yhunthonlo Khing of Tseminyu Town Baptist Church. The day’s formal proceedings drew to a close in a spirit of gratitude and cultural pride, and the community came together for the much-anticipated Ngada feast, celebrating not only a harvest but also the hope for greater unity in the days to come.
