As Ungma prepares for Moatsü on May 2, the village is set to pair its premier festival with a silver jubilee celebration carrying a message beyond festivity: the renewal of a 25-year friendship bond with Tuophema Village through “Rüna Khrietho–Maong Aksü” under the theme Kaamzemshi (to bolster amity).
Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio will attend the program as special guest, former Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir as honored dignitary, while Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer will host the event.
According to Sütsüngkaba Longkumer, Village Council Chairman, Ungma, the friendship traces its origin to 2001 during the Sekrenyi Festival in Tuophema Village when then Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir attended as guest of honor. At the time, Neiphiu Rio was serving as Home Minister in the Congress-led government.
Village elders said what began as a festival visit gradually evolved into a deliberate effort to strengthen unity not only between the two villages, but among Nagas more broadly.
“We Nagas are all brothers and sisters, but to strengthen and bring about more unity among our brothers, we started this friendship,” said Toshienba Jamir, Planning Committee member.
At the heart of the bond are the traditional practices of “Maong Aksü” and “Rüna Khrietho,” customary institutions rooted in kinship, peace and reciprocal responsibility through indigenous cultural exchange.
“Through this friendship and the practice of Maong Aksü and Rüna Khrietho, our aim is to strengthen and bring about peace between the two villages,” said Tiajungba, Convenor, Souvenir Committee.
Over the last 25 years, village leaders said the relationship has moved beyond symbolic exchange into practical cooperation, including developmental support and social ties.
“Within 25 years, we have united each other in general. In developmental work, we help one another,” said C Rongsen Pongener, Convenor, Program Committee, citing the construction of the Yimtsungta Arok Sabang Amphitheatre in Ungma as one example.
The program will be hosted at the said Amphitheatre.
Pongener also said the friendship has influenced younger generations, with students from both villages growing closer and supporting one another “like brothers and sisters.” On May 1, students of both villages also organized a cultural exchange program.
Organizers said the relevance of the bond remains important in present-day Nagaland.
“Unfortunately, Nagaland has tribalism and favoritism. In order to reduce this and create a free and lively atmosphere for the younger generation, we have this friendship,” said Tiajungba.
Tuophema villagers will be visiting Ungma for the second time under the friendship tradition, while Ungma has visited Tuophema twice over the years. Although the friendship dates back 25 years, this year marks only the fourth formal observance of “Rüna Khrietho–Maong Aksü.”