Old warrior makes emotional appeal for Nagas in Myanmar
Mon | April 8 : The second and concluding day of the Mon Road Show–Aoleang festival in Mon town saw a touching moment when an old warrior of the Laonyu cultural troupe (a kindred clan of the Konyak) in a dance-song appealed to the dignitaries and people on this side of the border to spare a thought about the plight of Nagas in Myanmar. The old man in his song said Nagas were born of one mother, yet they have been separated against their will.
The second day of the Road Show also witnessed more festive extravagance as visitors were treated to the rich cultural tapestry of the Naga people. Cultural troupes from Konyak villages under Mon district, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and from across the international border (Myanmar) regaled the crowds with their spirited and vigorous traditional dances and songs.
Nagaland Minister for Home Imkong L Imchen, the chief guest of the occasion, in his brief address said he preferred to watch the unfolding of the cultural events rather than give a lengthy discourse. The Home minister said the success of the road shows initiated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has proven the skeptics wrong and that the event has become one of the flagship programmes of the state government.
Complimenting the people of Mon district for taking keen enthusiasm in organizing the road show, Imchen said the indigenous stage designed in the shape of a Konyak warrior’s head gear was indeed an “architectural marvel.” He also agreed with the comment given by the chief minister yesterday that the Mon road show was the “biggest and most enthusiastic” and “the last is the best.”
Stressing on the need to preserve the rich traditional and cultural values of the Nagas, the minister also said that the “unique institution of ‘Anghs’ needs to be defended and preserved for all times to come.” Imchen further said that although Nagaland is a small state, the cultural uniqueness and identity of the Nagas have made them a proud race.
Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Alemtemshi Jamir in his Aoleang greetings also commented on the innovative and creative minds of the Konyak. He said the British to secure their colonial domination, the British introduced opium in Konyak region to tame the people. Due to this the Konyak have lagged behind other communities.
