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 Festival, 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. Along with that 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.

Welcoming the gathering, President of the 3rd Ronghuan Celebration Committee, Shri 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. He recalled that the previous edition was held at Charju Ground during the construction of Nehru Stadium and extended warm greetings to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and dignitaries for their presence despite busy schedules.

Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Hon'ble MLA of 4-Namsai (ST) Assembly Constituency and Advisor to the Home Minister for RWD and Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri Chow 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 tribes of Tirap to pursue GI tagging of their motifs and textiles, drawing inspiration from other communities.

Shri Namchoom 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 Hon'ble Minister for Environment & Forest, Geology, Mining & Minerals and DoTCL, Shri Wangki Lowang, extended festive greetings and appreciated the presence of Chief Guest Shri Chow Zingnu Namchoom and Guest of Honour, Secretary, IFCSAP, Smti Maya Murtem. He lauded the Ronghuan Celebration Committee, led by President Shri Tediap Hallang and Secretary Shri Hangrang Bangsia, for successfully organising the event and strengthening cultural unity.

Highlighting Tirap's rich cultural landscape, Shri Lowang 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.

Guest of Honour, Secretary, IFCSAP, Smti Maya Murtem, also extended her greetings and commended the communities for preserving their traditions through songs, dances and rituals. She emphasised the role of the Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Affairs Department (IFCSAP) in safeguarding Arunachal Pradesh's cultural heritage.

Earlier, the Ronghuan mythology was narrated by Shri 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 witnessed the presence of Tirap ZPM Chairman Adv. John K.K. Matey; Deputy Commissioner Tirap Shri Badonlum Tawsik, APCS (AG); Superintendent of Police Tirap Shri Aditya, IPS; ZPC Namsai Chow Sujana Namchoom, ZPM Deomali Shri Yalik Lowang; ZPM Khonsa Smti Necha Wangsu; ZPM Dadam Shri Chasom Hakhun; ZPM Bari-Basip Shri Lopong Wanghop; ZPM Khela Shri Bunting Tumwang Lowang; Smti Chango Lowang, wife of Hon'ble Minister Shri Wangki Lowang; Smti Nyason Sawin, wife of Hon'ble MLA Shri Wanglam Sawin; and BJP Tirap District President Shri Lankham Wangsu, along with village chiefs of Khela, Kheti, Bunting and Kolagaon, Gaon Burahs, PRIs, BJP karyakartas and members of the public.

The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks by Secretary of the 3rd Central Ronghuan Festival Celebration Committee, Shri Hangrang Bangsia, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants and the public for making the festival a grand success.

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)