KHONSA, Oct 5: The spirit of tradition, gratitude and togetherness came alive at Nehru Stadium, Khonsa as the 3rd edition of the Central Ronghuan Kuhwa, the traditional millet harvesting festival of the Nocte and Tutsa communities, was celebrated with vibrant rituals, cultural performances and enthusiastic participation on Monday.
The celebration began on a deeply spiritual note with the traditional Rangtam and Chharom rituals performed by priest Katgang Lamthak, followed by customary observances at Paang and Rangsoam Sey. Additionally, the traditional rice pounding ritual was showcased by the women of Khonsa village.
Ronghuan Kuhwa, celebrated after the completion of the millet harvest, reflects the community’s heartfelt gratitude and prayers for prosperity, abundance and collective well-being.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, MLA Namsai and Advisor to the Minister for RWD and Sports & Youth Affairs, Zingnu Namchoom underscored the importance of preserving indigenous traditions and knowledge systems. He expressed concern over the growing disconnect of younger generations from their roots and encouraged them to actively learn traditional songs, dances and customs from their elders. He also urged the tribes of Tirap district to pursue GI tagging of their motifs and textiles, drawing inspiration from other communities.
The MLA further informed that an audio recording studio has recently been set up in Namsai and encouraged youth from the Nocte and Tutsa communities to utilise the facility free of cost to document traditional folk songs and oral histories for posterity. He also suggested adopting Roman scripts for local dialects in the education sector to help preserve and promote indigenous languages and culture.
Chief Patron of the festival and Minister for Environment & Forest, Geology, Mining & Minerals and DoTCL, Wangki Lowang, while highlighting Tirap’s rich cultural landscape, noted that the district celebrates several major indigenous festivals such as Worang Juku, Pongtu Kuh, Chalo Loku, Hoju Kuhwa and Ronghuan Kuhwa. He proposed bringing these festivals together under a unified platform, TIRAP FEST, to promote tourism and showcase the district’s vibrant heritage.
Secretary IFCSAP Maya Murtem commended the communities for preserving their traditions through songs, dances and rituals. She emphasized the role of the Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Affairs Department in safeguarding the State’s cultural heritage.
Welcoming the gathering, president of the 3rd Ronghuan Celebration Committee, Tediap Hallang highlighted the cultural essence of the festival, noting how it has grown from a village tradition into a central platform uniting the Nocte and Tutsa communities.
Earlier, the Ronghuan mythology was narrated by Pangnye Khoisia, offering insights into the festival’s historical and cultural significance.
The celebration featured colourful performances, including traditional dances by cultural troupes from New Kheti, Bunting and Lamlo, a mega dance by women of Kheti and Thinsa villages, and various presentations by participating villages—Kheti, Turet, Thinsa, Khonsa and Lapnan—reflecting the rich traditions and shared identity of the Nocte and Tutsa communities.
The event also saw the presence of a host of dignitaries, including Tirap DC, ZPC & SP, BJP district president, and Namsai ZPC, among others.
The festival ended on a hopeful note, reaffirming the community’s commitment to preserve, protect and pass on its rich indigenous heritage and traditions to future generations. (DIPRO)