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MOATSU
MONG -AO TRIBE
The Ao tribe celebrates two main festivals in a year. The Moatsu
festival is considered the main festival, which lasts for six days.
However with the advent of the modern age the Moatsu Mong is now
limited to a three day event starting from 1st-3rd of May every
year.
The Ao Tribe invoke the Almighty God's blessings after finishing
their diverse village activities such as construction and repair
of houses, roads, marriage, sowing of seeds in the fields and cleaning
of the village water ponds. Only after completion of all these manifold
activities the celebration of Moatsu Mong takes place.
During the Moatsu Mong, very brisk competition to make the best
rice-beer and rear the best possible animals like pigs, cows, fowls
etc, were the natural customary practices. The womenfolk try to
make the best dresses for themselves and join the menfolk in dancing,
eating and drinking wine, composing warrior's songs and singing
in praise of their lovers and the village as a whole, encouraging
the young warrior to be bold and heroic to defend and protect them
from enemies. The people go out for renewing old friendships and
making new ones. The Aos invite delegates from the neighbouring
villages and exchange gifts to renew traditional friendship. This
helps in the strengthening of traditional bonds and result in peace
and harmony. During the Moatsu Mong the righteous man who lives
by the guidance of the Almighty, forecasts the future of the village
by readings of the celebration of the Moatsu festival.
The State Government has identified Chuchuyimlang village as the
Moatsu festival destination. From the year 2000, Moatsu celebration
at Chuchuyimlang will feature as a National Event.Chuchuyimlang
is situated 40 km away from Mokokchung on the NH-61 towards Amguri
in Assam. An ethnic tourist village has been set up by the village
community for tourists which is functional throughout the year.
The festival at Chuchuyimlang is spectacular, as one can witness
the participation of other tribes, the "Anchas", in this
event. |
