A view of the Konyak Heritage Complex at Leangha village which was inaugurated on April 5. (Photo Courtesy: X)
MON, APRIL 5 (MExN): The Konyak Heritage Complex was officially inaugurated on April 5 at Leangha village in Mon district, with Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio, attending as the special guest. The ceremony was also marked by the celebration of Konyak Aoleang Monyu 2025.
Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, was the honoured guest, and the chief host for the event was Minister of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, C L John.
During the inauguration, Dr Rio expressed gratitude to the civil society, the administration led by Deputy Commissioner of Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, and the people of Leangha village for their cooperation in bringing the complex to completion. He emphasized that the complex would be handed over to the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) but urged the community to maintain it properly.
Dr Rio also highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting the cultural site. In his speech, he encouraged the people to learn about their customs and traditions, as well as to honor their ancestors by celebrating the festival in peace and unity. He pledged to construct a women’s working hostel and the Konyak Union Office at the heritage site. Earlier, Dr Rio unveiled the monolith.
Union Minister Dr Sukanta Majumdar praised Nagaland’s diverse cultural festivals, noting that Konyak, one of the state’s largest and most prominent tribes, is rich in cultural heritage. He said festival is not only about celebrating tradition but also to recognise the significant contribution it makes to the nation's cultural diversity. Dr Majumdar also highlighted the significance of agriculture in the festival, calling it the backbone of society.
A report on the Konyak Heritage Complex was presented by W. Chingang Konyak, Advisor for Geology & Mining, DUDA. Loungai Wangnao, Convenor of the Konyak Heritage Complex Management Board, provided a brief history and explained the significance of the complex.
The program began with a traditional Konyak welcome ceremony and the ceremonial opening of Konyak Aoleang Monyu by Yanglem, Angh of Leangha. The event featured a series of traditional practices, including the banging of a gong, firing of a muzzle-loading gun, and drumming at all nine Morungs, followed by an inspection of the complex by the special and honoured guests.
Cultural performances were also a highlight of the event, with troupes from Pongchao (Arunachal Pradesh), Tai Ahom (Assam), and various villages in Mon district, including Leangha, Changnyu, Longchang, Wakching, Monyakshu, Wayen, Wangti, Jaboka Union, Mon village, Chi Union and Mon town. The celebration included a special presentation from Shipshi Ungwung Khong of KNSK Aboi.
The event concluded with a welcome address by KU President, Tingtok Konyak, and a vote of thanks by Y. Chingwang Wangsa, Convenor of the Konyak Aoleang Committee.
The Konyak Heritage Complex is a multi-disciplinary facility aimed at boosting tourism, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing local livelihoods. Major components at the complex include nine Morungs, amphitheatre, administrative building, multi-purpose hall and open air ground along with rostrum.
Additional major components are also in the pipeline such as construction of Angh House, construction of a helipad, women hostel, basketball court, guest house, park, water reservoir etc.
