Rio in Longleng for Phom Monyu

Longleng, April 5 (MTNews): Greeting the gathering on the occasion of the Phom Monyu Tribal Festival celebration at Local Ground, Longleng on 5th April 2022, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, who graced the program as the Special Guest, called upon the gathering to promote and preserve the rich culture and heritage by documenting it.

Rio stated that in order to promote and preserve the rich culture and traditions of the people, mini hornbill festivals and tribal festivals are organized in every district of the State to represent in the State Hornbill Festival. He advised the people to preserve and promote their rich unique culture and attires without imitation to attract tourists. Asserting that Nagaland is a tribal state with every tribe having their own unique tradition, culture and festivals, he said the Government has named the state as the “Land of Festivals”.

Citing that festival is a time of celebration to renew friendship and social bond with love and forgiveness, the Chief Minister urged the people to celebrate with their hard earned labor without dependency.  While appreciating the Monyu festival, he said it is a unique festival because it shows more love and respect to the womenfolk.

Also read: Phom Monyiu 2022 celebrated in Mokokchung

He exhorted the gathering to promote and protect the rich biodiversity and scenic beauty of the land while cultivating their fields. He advised the people to live with peace and harmony and added that development takes place only in a peaceful environment.

Rio also assured for blacktopping of Longleng Town roads and asked the Executive Engineer (R&B), Longleng to come up with detailed estimate for the project.

In his Monyu greetings, festival host, S. Pangnyu Phom, Minister for Health & Family Welfare urged the people to observe the festival with meaning for a bountiful harvest in every walk of life and to be an agent of change and torch bearers.

Solidarity speeches were delivered by President, Ao Senden, Chubawati Longchar, and President, Konyak Union, Howing Konyak. Welcome address was proposed by Chief host, and President Phom People’s Council, M. Shami Angh.

Other highlights of the program included pulling of log drum; special song by Eastern Blind Care Home, Dungkao Longleng; Monyu Special Song by Pongo Village; Pang Jhenpu by Yongnyah village; beating of log drum by Pongching village and culture dance by Hongnyula, Chuchuyimlang village, Phampak village, Momching village, Tamlu village and Sakshi block.

Premier Festival of the Phom Nagas
The Phom Nagas have four major festivals each having unique significance. They are Monyu, Moha, Bongvum and Paangmo. Monyu, the most popular and biggest festival falls in the month of April every year soon after the sowing season. The festival is celebrated for six days beginning from 1st to 6th of April every year.

Monyu is a spring festival normally observed after the sowing is done in rice fields. This is to invoke God’s blessing to have a bountiful harvest. Monyu also marks the end of winter and the onset of the monsoon season.