Without culture, We lose our identity......Vibrant colors and log drums mark Aoleang in Mon

(LEFT) Konyak Union President, Khoiwang Wangsa, and Nagaland Minister for PHE, Noke Wangnao arrive at the Mon ground to celebrate the Aoleang festival on April 5. (RIGHT) Women in traditional ornaments proceed to take their place in Mon ground where their places were marked by rings. 16 regional units of the Konyak Union participated in the Aoleang festival in Mon on April 5.

An old man in glasses, shorts and traditional finery could not control his enthusiasm—he insisted on beating the log drum alone even after his team walked out of the field. Everyone enjoyed the solo as Mon has been in high spirits for a few days now—the festivities around Aoleang began on April 1. Today’s celebration at the football ground in Mon town was symbolic of this spirit. It came decked in orange and blue beads, red and green sashes, bells, wild boar ivory, shells, wood, metal heads and feathers. The Konyak people, in all their finery, welcomed the coming of spring and the start of the agricultural season, drums, guns and hums announcing the productive year to come.

Celebrated every year, Aoleang was arranged in Mon town by the Konyak Union for the third time this year. 16 regional units of the Konyak Union participated in the gargantuan gathering at the football ground with thousands of spectators. As the sun blazed, the groups (some of men, others of women) danced together in separate rings, marked out on the ground beforehand.

All maintained the necessity of saving the Konyak cultural heritage for posterity. “The festival has changed in many ways over the years due to modernisation,” said M. Noke Wangnao, Nagaland state minister for PHE, in his speech as the chief guest before joining the participants in their dancing rings. “Nonetheless, our traditions should be maintained as they are for future generations. When we go outside, interact with other people, we should be proud of saying that we are Konyak,” he added to his speech that was delivered in Konyak.

“Culture and tradition are still considered evil deeds,” stated Khoiwang Wangsa, President of the Konyak Union, following an invocation by M. Chemyuh, Executive Secretary of KBBB. “But we must remember that by following them, we reiterate our identity. These symbols are our culture, without which we will lose our identity,” Khoiwang articulated. He also acknowledged the state government’s Road Show initiative which seeks to trace “our culture”, thereby strengthening identity.

Aoleang is celebrated over a period of one week, with related activities running even 15-20 days before the festival. It is regarded the most important festival of the Konyak Nagas, requiring the participation of all individuals of a village, with special significance for the youth, as well as for peace and reconciliation.

Preservation of these traditions has become challenging for the community. Changes have marked the cultural landscape since the advent of Christianity. In an attempt at preservation ideas, Noke Wangnao suggested that “traditional attires should be uniformed—some wear shoes with attires and this should stop.” Belonging in an agricultural community, the incentives to celebrate Aoleang, however, remain. “Having completed the sowing in March, the Konyak Nagas relax and enjoy the beginning of the new year in the spring season when in the countryside, there is a riot of flowers of all hues and colours,” explained Rev. Y. Chingang Konyak in a speech on the significance of Aoleang.
With half of modernity creeping into Konyak society, it might seem like the enthusiasm for the festival might dwindle.

But the Konyak youth volunteered at the festival in ornaments and proud ownership of their heritage. Despite the lag in electricity, roads, water and all other markers of modern civilisation, with doctors doubling up as sound engineers, Mon beat its drums and shot its guns loud and clear—traditional and cultural significance of Aoleang, making itself an identity of the Konyak people, will stay on as intended. This was clear as Noke Wangnao, Khoiwang Wangsa, S. Manlip (Convenor of the Aoleang Committee) and others hopped from one group to the other, in their traditional hats, breaking hierarchical barriers and dancing all afternoon with the people.