CULTURAL CONNECT: DAY 9 OF HORNBILL FESTIVAL 2022

Cultural troupes of various tribes enthralled visitors on the 9th day of the Hornbill Festival at Main Arena, Kisama on 9th December 2022. Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Nalin S. Kohli was the chief guest with Advisor, Tourism and Art & Culture, Khehovi Yeputhomi as the host during the morning session.

Rugala, a ritual practiced by the ancient A’chiks of the Garo tribe was enacted by the Garo Cultural troupe. It is a thanksgiving for the blessings showered by the Sun God 'Misi Saljong,' where the pagan priest performs the ritual and also predicts the future fortune of the people whether they will have a rich harvest or suffer famine. The A’chiks have been performing this ritual since long ago and it is done even today in some parts dominated by the pagan A'chiks.

            The Dimasa Kachari Cultural Troupe performed a serpent dance called ‘Baikhon/Baijubu’ which is performed by both men and women. In it, the dancers move around in twisting and winding rows imitating a crawling python. It is a popular dance performed in all festive occasions like post-harvest festival of Bishu, marriage ceremonies and other happy occasions of the Kachari tribe.

‘Luda & Thülo,' a traditional game commonly played in Southern Angami villages was also performed. It is an indigenous game played solely by the menfolk of a village for entertainment, and also to develop a sense of brotherhood. ‘Olu’ extracted from the plant Olu Pu, scientifically known as Panicum Virgatum (switchgrass) is used in the game. In the game, an area of two (2) metres circumference is chosen as striking point from where the switchgrass is struck to the ground with great force to make it fly as far as possible. There are two ways of playing Luda, Olu Da and Olu Mehe. Olu Da is played by young energetic men while Olu Mehe is played by elderly men who have less strength and stamina than the younger men.

Zeliang Cultural Troupe, Pochury Cultural Troupe, Sumi Cultural Troupe, Lotha Cultural Troupe, Kuki Cultural Troupe, Chakhesang Cultural Troupe, Rengma Cultural Troupe also presented cultural performances on the 9th Day of the Hornbill Festival.

During the evening session, Yogendra Garg IRS, Chief Commissioner of Central GST and Customs, Guwahati Zone graced the programme as the chief guest, and Karunakar Das, Chief General Manager and Head of NTPC, Bongaigaon as the honoured guest. The evening session was hosted by Temjen Imna Along, Minister, tribal Affairs and Higher Education.

(Mhonlumi, APRO, Nouneseno, IA, I. Tiakumla, IA, Takumpula, IA)