Amongmong festival is observed in the first week of September by the Sangtam tribe in Nagaland. It is a pre harvest festival. Amongmong means togetherness.
Six days of Amongmong has its unique importance. People worship resident deities and the three cooking stones in the fireplace to get good health, harvest and prosperity.
The village priest, at the death of night announces “ZANGNYOU MONGMONG NUNG EH-LEHE”. The next morning another priest will read theproclamation. The villagers being preparation for the festival byaccumulating food stuff, firewood and special wine like ROHI and MADHU. The announcement denote the separation of the spirit of the dead from the living. Throughout the festival, a line is drawn between the dead and the living.
AMONGMONG signifies ‘togetherness forever’. The object is to have a good harvest. The figure “6” bear great significance among Sangtam tribe. For example, when a head hunter brings an enemy’s head he is undefiled and observe penance for 6 days. A male baby is christened onthe 6th day. A deceased’s family would mourn for 6 days.
Each day of the festival has got its own significance. The first day is called “SINGKITHSA”. This day is marked by the closing of all transaction relating to purchase of domestic animals like pigs, cow, Mithuns and roping them. Preparing and collecting of food stuff and harvesting vegetables and millets. On the second day, the roped domestic animals are killed. After setting aside some portion for the feast, the meat is distributed among the team members of the group called “ATHIRÜ” and “AKHINGRÜ”. The third day is “MÜSÜYANGTAP” – day of worshipping the three oven stones. The oldest woman of the household performs the ritual by placing gum rice balls on the top of the stones and pouring little wine on these stones. The god (LIJABA) is represented by these stone.
On these three days villagers will neither go to fields nor outside the village as this is believed to bring calamities. At dawn, the priest would go to the village well and draw water carefully. Others would follow. Each one of them must cover their head with green leaves, lest they are stricken with cholera. The whole day is devoted to drinking of rice beers, dancing, tug of war and other merrymaking.
Day four is KIKHA-LANGPI. Males would clear the village. Paths, wells and springs are cleaned. On returning every grown-up male will contribute meat and wine and feast together in the house of the village priest. The wives puts chilies, ginger and cotton in green leaves called “TSIDONG” and put them in the field or outside the village to ward off calamities and prevent damage to crops.
Day five is “SHILANG WUBA NYUNONG”. Villager visit to relatives, friends and neighboring villages, sharing meal, drinks and exchange of meat as gift. The last day of the festival is called “AKATISINGKITHSA”. Harvesting starts from this day….
Toshali Travel and Tours offers budget festival Holiday packages and arranges, to be at Nagaland Amongmong festival ”. And customized your accommodation on demand, do visit at http://bit.ly/beEU3x . Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
To know more on the Amongmong Festival, post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holiday Planner at metu@toshali.in
