Image: Northeast Now

The Rengma Naga community of Assam’s Diphu celebrated Ngada festival at Diphu Club on Thursday with traditional fun and fervour.

The festival, a one day programme was observed with the theme ‘Lost of culture is Lost of identity’ with special emphasis on Samize – the oral tradition of Rengma Nagas.

It aimed at cultural revival of the one of the indigenous tribes of the hill district.

The Rengma Naga Cultural Society (RNCS), Diphu Zone has organized the festival in Diphu.

Both young and old took part with fervour gaiety.

In recognition of the indigeneity of the Rengmas, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has declared Thursday as a holiday to allow the tribe to celebrate their post harvesting festival.

The festival is celebrated zone wise as designated by Rengma Naga Cultural Society (RNCS).

The chief guest, former general secretary, RNCS, Chenta Hembu Rengma urged the Rengmas to promote their culture.

He said, “We have our culture, language and tradition and it is us who have to preserve and promote it.”

“The Rengma Nagas, whether living in villages or urban areas should know the culture and speak the language and pass it on to the next generation,” he added.

On the occasion folk dances and song were presented.

The festival ended with a community feast.

Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention, Women Department, Logu Resho; Chairman, Sports & Youth Welfare Development Board, KAAC, Phenpiga Rengma; RNCS, DZ, secretary, Daniel Jishing Rengma and others were present on the occasion.

Nongee Terang is Northeast Now Correspondent in Diphu. He can be reached at: nongee.terang@gmail.com