Members of Ülikrei Folk Music Ensemble seen farming in a clan land in Chedema village on April 25 to promote and preserve agricultural practices and also to encourage young people to learn farming.
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | April 27
In a clan land covering about 25 acres in Chedema under Kohima district, a new initiative was planted on Saturday towards preserving the age old practice of farming. The 12-member group of Ülikrei, a vibrant folk music ensemble from Chedema that was formed in the year 2022 gathered at the clan land, this time not to sing but to farm, sending out a clear message on the need to preserve the traditional way of farming and further encourage the younger generation to stay rooted to their ancestral practices.
Guided by elders who taught the members of the group what to plant in which season, Director of Ülikrei, Dr Keneilhoulie Medom related to The Morung Express that, “we started preparing the bed since December 2025 by clearing the jungle and burning the leaves, etc.”
On April 25, the group planted 40 kgs of maize seeds, given by the Department of Agriculture in the land that was generously offered by a clan of the village for the good cause.
Underlining the importance of preserving agricultural knowledge, Dr Keneilhoulie Medom also highlighted that, “we are taking this initiative to encourage our youngsters to learn our traditional way of farming” even while expressing deep concern that many young people today do not know, or “are forgetting the ways and means of farming that our ancestors, parents and grandparents were following.”
“So we want to encourage the youngsters,” he reiterated.
Right after the plantation, a session of singing practice awaited the Ülikrei Folk Music Ensemble. While the group spent the entire day engaged in farming activities, they headed back to the village right after to pursue their first love, which is music.
In this regard, Medom also expressed that, “our folk group is not only about singing but we are trying to encourage farming.”
Mention may be made here that Ülikhrei means “singing peer group” (Ü- Song; Li- Singing; Khrei- Peer Group) comprising 12 individuals including 6 males and 6 females. Interestingly, the traditional art of folk music is also intrinsically linked to the land and agricultural cycles.
The Ensemble was also born out of the need to preserve the originality of the folk songs practiced by our ancestors even while observing that the present generation is losing touch with their songs, culture and tradition.
A first-of-its-kind emerging from Chedema village, the rare talent of Ülikrei folk group was first taken notice by Dr Keneilhoulie Medom, who decided to groom them further for bigger stage with Noune Kuotsu as Vocal Mentor.
Since the group's formation in 2022, Ülikrei has performed on numerous occasions both within the state and across the country.
