A CORRESPONDENT
HAFLONG: The people belonging to Zeme community of Dima Hasao celebrated their year-ending festival or the major festival ‘Hega- Ngi’ throughout the district starting on Wednesday with traditional fervor and gaiety.
Chief Executive Member, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Debolal Gorlosa took part in the grand celebration of “Zeliangrong Heraka Hega N’Ngi” at Lodiram, Haflong.
The Hega N’Ngi is a post-harvest festival celebrated annually by the Zeme Nagas when the new grains are stored and the villagers are free from all agricultural work and seek blessings from Almighty God for the new year ahead.
This festival is celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety showcasing colourful traditional dance, folk song, music and their distinctive culture.
Other guests present in the celebration programme are Donpainon Thaosen EM DHAC, Paudamying Riame EM DHAC, Monjit Naiding EM DHAC, Ramgalungbr Kuame MAC DHAC and Ripa Hojai Chairperson Haflong Municipal Board.
The festival is generally celebrated for three days. On the first day of the festival, Zeme Nagas offer their best jhum product to the ‘Tin wang’ leader of the sky in ‘Kelumki’ (temple). While praising the ‘Tin wang’ for their best harvest, they pray for his blessings. The 2nd day is day for traditional games and sports and merry making. The prize-winners have to invite others to their respective houses to enjoy the spirit of the festival. Meat and ‘Ju’ (rice bear) are served to every guest in traditional manner.
The 3rd day is the day for seeking blessings from the elders. The group of youths’ visit house to house, dancing and singing to seek the blessings of the elders. A bunch of thread is tied on the wrist of children as the mark of blessings.
In these days of fast modernization, the Zemes are still striving for the preservation of their tradition and culture and perhaps are successful enough to retain their glory of tradition and culture.
The distinctive culture of the Zemes is manifested through the celebration of their community festivals, their folklore, songs, dances, music, etc. They observe a number of community festivals mostly related to agriculture. These are Heleibambe, Nehang Bam, Puakpal, Siami, and Hega N’Ngi. Colourful traditional dances are also performed to welcome the guests by the youths of Lodiram.
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