Reported by Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur: Two Naga villages, one belonging to the Angami Naga tribe and the other to the Ao Naga tribe, celebrated 25 years of brotherhood at Ungma village in Nagaland’s Mokokchung district on Saturday.
To strengthen their commitment for the future, the two villages formally adopted the ‘Ungma Declaration’, pledging to continuously reinforce and carry forward their unique bond of friendship.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who belongs to the Angami Naga tribe, and former Chief Minister S. C. Jamir, who belongs to the Ao Naga tribe, attended the ceremony held under the theme ‘To Bolster Amity’ as chief guest and honoured dignitary, respectively.
Nagaland Speaker Sharingain Longkumer was the chief host of the historic event.
Addressing the programme, Rio shared the background of the brotherhood between the two villages, revealing that the bond was the brainchild of himself and Jamir.
“The core vision was to build a bridge of friendship with all Aos through Ungma, and with all Angamis and Tenyimi through Tuophema, ultimately radiating that peace to all Nagas,” he stated.
Rio urged the gathering to introspect, reflect, and carry forward the legacy established by the two villages, encouraging them to expand this friendship to the rest of the Naga family.
He expressed deep satisfaction at seeing the younger generation actively carrying forward this tradition through various exchange programmes and social engagements.
In his address, Jamir provided valuable insights into the brotherhood between the two villages, calling for urgent peace and unity among the Nagas.
Reflecting on his long political career, Jamir lamented that there was no “ism” among the Nagas in the past, noting that there was only one apex body under which all tribal hohos (bodies) worked in harmony.
Expressing deep concern over the current state of Naga society, Jamir warned that tribalism has reached extreme levels, factions, both underground and overground, have multiplied, and materialism is eroding morality.
He made a fervent appeal for a drastic change in outlook and attitude among the Nagas, urging a renewed vision to build a stronger, more peaceful, and prosperous Nagaland.
In a symbolic move toward wider integration, Ungma village donated three plots of land during the programme. These were officially handed over by Rio to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council, and the Tenyimia Union Nagaland.