‘We have suffered enough. We need peaceful development’

The Eastern Konyak Union Unit (EKUUM) has condemned the high handedness of Assam Rifles personnel, who have been alleged of preventing road works from Chen Moho to Nyanching via Throilu under the Indian Myanmar Friendship Project Scheme.

A press note from the EEKUM alleged that on April 7, personnel of the 33 AR, 5th Battalion “blocked” construction of a 15 meter stretch of the road and seized goods from members of the public. It further stated that the AR personnel had “forbidden” people from travelling across the road from one village to another.

The EKUUM has appealed to both the Assam Rifles and the Naga political groups for a peaceful atmosphere in the area. “We are not in favour of any group. We need peaceful development only.”

The said road project, construction for which began on 2013-14 is yet to be completed. On the other side of the border, the EKUUM informed that the road from Monyakshu to Nyanching via Chen Hoyat had also been left incomplete without any notification on October 2013, with only a few kilometers completed.

The EKUUM asserted that the road is not only for people in the border areas but is a link to connect Eastern and Western Nagas. It reminded that the significance of the road project had also been stressed on by Nagaland MP and former Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and the former R&B Minister as well.

The EKUUM questioned as to “who has been prohibiting the workers or contractors to stop immediately before the road is completed.” It urged the concerned authority to complete the road construction as per the agreement.

The people on the border areas, the EKUUM, lamented have lived in a state of constant struggle. People here, it recalled have not been able to live freely due to continuous turmoil in the area beginning in the 1950s. “We have suffered enough as human beings and we want justice on humanitarian grounds,” appealed the EKUUM.

Children at Yakshu Village

Children at Yakshu Village- a small village located in Mopong Circle of Mon district with total 577 families residing as per Population Census 2011. In Yakshu village population of children with age, 0-6 is 214, which makes up 4.96 % of total population of village.

Yakshu village has lower literacy rate compared to Nagaland. In 2011, literacy rate of Yakshu village was 32.13 % compared to 79.55 % of Nagaland. (Photo by Longsakumba Longkumer)

‘One Student, One Tree’

Mon Forest Division in collaboration with the Nagaland Pollution Control Board, Dimapur conducted an orientation programme in the Divisional Forest Office, Mon.

The teacher representatives of Eco-Club schools have been asked to ensure that one tree is planted by every student in Mon District basing on the theme ‘One Student, One Tree’ for the Eco-Club schools under Mon.

The Range Officer Mon highlighted the teachers of the objective and various activities of the Eco-Clubs in Mon. The Divisional Forest Officer Mon encouraged the teachers to play a pivotal role in developing a bond between students and the nature so that when they grow old, they become a protector and a conservationist by itself. Several other issues have been sensitised on environment and other ecological problems.

Konyak Union (KU) to celebrate Aoleang Monyu

 Konyak Union (KU) and the Aoleang organizing committee have informed that the Konyak Aoleang festival would be celebrated on April 4 at 11 a.m. at football ground, Mon town, with MLA and Chairman KVIB, YM Yollow, and the Deputy Commissioner, Mon, W Honje, as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively. KU has invited all officers and different community leaders of Mon and well wishers from other places to join the festival and share the Aoleang feast on the day.

Happy "AOLEANG MONYU" to all the people of Konyak Naga Tribe

AOLEANG MONYU- The most important festival of the Konyaks.

"AOLEANG MONYU"
(The Festival of Konyak Tribe)

The entire Konyak Community of Nagaland, observed Aoleong Monyu in the first week of Aoleong Lee (April) every year since time immemorial. Aoleang is observed after completion of sowing of seeds in the new fields and to marks the end of the old year and to welcome the new year beginning with spring when a riot of flowers in every hue start to bloom. It is time to ask Almighty God for beautiful harvest of crops in that very year.

The Aoleang Monyu is spread over six days. Each day has separate names and different significance : (1) Hoi Lai Yah Nyih (2) Yin Mok Pho Nyih, (3) Yin Mok Shek Nyih (4) Lingnyu Nyih (5) Lingha Nyih and (6) Lingshan Nyih.

1. The first day is called "HOI LAI YAH NYIH" which means the preparation day of the Aoleong Monyu. On this day every arrangement is made for the Aoleaong, like collection of firewood, banana leaves, vegetables etc. The rice beer is also stored on this day. New clothes are woven and all necessary ornament are prepared. On this day, the head of the family goes to the jhum field and sacrifices a chicken and sprinkles its hot blood on the "WUMJONG" altar with an invocation to the supreme Power for helping to grow crops well. By taking out the intestine, he predicts the future of his family. A leg of chicken with food is given to the neighbour of the new jhum field of that year. The food is carefully put into leaves and brought home and given to the family members after the prayers and ceremony. On that day also, a stage called "Aoleang WAKAM" is constructed in every "PANS" Morungs for the dancing parties.

2. The second day is called "YIM MOK PHO NYIH" The domestic animals like Buffaloes, Mithuns, Cows and Pigs etc. have to be searched and roped in and tethered to a past to be killed during the Aoleang. In addition to that young boys those who have not yet joined in head hunting were taken to the jungles for proxy head hunting . On their return from the jungles, the next day, young boys and girls have to be tabooed on that day.

3. The third day is called "YIM MOK SHEK NYIH" which means the day for killing of animals. On this day, the green signal for the start of the festival is given by hosting of well decorated Bamboo Flag "KOIPHONG" Right after the hosting the young men start playing the logdrum and go to their own houses to kill the animals. All the men gathered at the Morung will have best chosen food and rice beer before they go to their houses. The youngsters in the age group between 15 to 20 years together kill some domestic animals and take the meat to their parents after they enjoy the day.

4. The fourth day is called "LINGNYU NYIH" which means the great day amongst the six days of Aoleang Monyu. On this day, men and women wear beautiful ornaments and spend the whole day in community feasts, amusements, dances and merry making. Every house prepares the best feast and shares it with friends, relatives and neighbours. In the afternoon, all the men go to the main entrance gate of the village and have a feast there and teach the young men the art of head-hunting. On their return from the place called "PEJONG" which means entrance of the village, the men group themselves according to different Morungs and start dancing. Led by their leaders, they visit each other’s Morung and express each other’s good and bad qualities through songs.
The normal themes of the songs are the victory over the enemy, asking Almighty God for bountiful crops etc. The dance party holds enemy’s heads in their hands and display in front of others Morung  their victory over their enemies. In the evening, all the groups gather at a place called "SHAOCHONG" where the heads, legs and hands of enemy are kept. All the groups dance together and fire the guns. The old and young men who can shoot the gun go to their own houses with loaded gun and fire in front of their houses to signify the "LINGNYU NYIH".

5. The fifth day is called "LINGHA NYIH". This day is observed by honoring each other ; the old men are honoured by the young ; young boys and their parents call on their married sisters and daughter’s respectively and after them best feasts ; married daughters also visit their parents and offer them the best feasts; married daughters also visit and offer grand feasts to their parents. On this day  families of the dead visit the burial sites of their dead relatives and pay their last homage to the departed souls. A special feast is arranged on this day to renew the friendship made by parents and to make the friendship last for posterity amongst the descendants. They also visit permanently declared household friends and exchange best prepared food items.  permanently declared households friends and exchange well-prepared food items. Permanently declared household friendship continues for years together best portion of meat are exchanged between these households.

6. The sixth day is called "LINGSHAN NYIH" which means final day of the Aoleang Monyu. The day is spent in cleaning the village and houses which were made dirty during the Aoleang Days.


May our Almighty God bless our people and land.....