Angami men showcasing a traditional game at the Sekrenyi-cum-Mini Hornbill festival in Sovima village, Chümoukedima, on February 25.
Tourism Minister defends Hornbill and Mini Hornbill fests
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 25
Speaking at the Sekrenyi-cum-Mini Hornbill festival, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education Temjen Imna Along urged Naga tribes to keep their cultural roots alive, calling preservation essential for their future.
“My dear people, I always believe personally that indigenous people like the Nagas—the Angamis, the Chakhesangs, Zeliangs, Aos, Lothas, Sumis, Konyaks, Phom, Khiamniungan, all of us. The indigenous people, if we do not preserve our heritage of our culture, of our tradition, and of our way of life, then we will not be able to take ourselves as an entity of a progressive people,” Along said.
The Minister defended the state’s cultural initiatives, the Hornbill and Mini Hornbill festivals, in particular. He rejected claims that these events promote immorality, arguing instead that they have played a huge role in reviving traditional pride and pulling the youth away from the confusion of the 1990s. Along insisted that one can maintain Christian faith while still upholding indigenous traditions.
“I beg to differ. I always believe that Christ, our Savior, is faith in action for us. But our tradition and our heritage and our culture, which we have already come forward with... with the knowledge of the Savior, is we put our faith in Him... and preserve and persevere with our tradition, with our culture, and with our way of life,” he remarked.
However, Along warned that the strengthening of individual tribal identities has paradoxically hindered collective unity. He questioned why, as the Naga people have become more literate and culturally aware, they remain divided rather than united as “indigenous tribals and citizens of Nagaland.”
He also warned against “patronising” illegal immigrants for short-term economic gains. Along asked the community to help genuine non-Naga Indian citizens get proper documentation like the Inner Line Permit (ILP), rather than harbouring illegal settlers which could hurt the state in the long run.
He praised the Angami community for the inclusive spirit of the Sekrenyi celebration, expressing hope that the festival’s theme of purification would help build bridges and clear away suspicion among the different Naga tribes.
Angami Public Organisation President, Thejao Vihienuo addressed the festival's evolving role within the community. He noted that although the Angami people have "overwhelmingly become Christians" and ceased “ancestral rituals”, the core purpose of sanctification endures.
Vihienuo stated that the APO sees "all the more reason to observe Sekrenyi" in the present day. He termed the celebration as a moment to “dedicate ourselves, and to renew our bond with our Creator" while seeking blessings for the upcoming year.
