NAGALAND: Festival Calendar for October Month
Nagaland, the land of festivals, is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant celebrations. The state is home to a large number of tribes and ethnic communities, each with their own unique culture and traditions. This is one reason why Nagaland has a diverse and exciting calendar of festivals throughout the year.
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October is a particularly special month in Nagaland, as it marks the beginning of the harvest season. Many of the festivals celebrated in October are related to agriculture and thanksgiving. However, there are also festivals that celebrate other aspects of Naga culture, such as music, dance, and sports.
Nagaland tourism has just announced the festivals celebrated in Nagaland during the month of October.
Announcing the October Calendar!
Get ready for a vibrant celebration of authentic traditions: from delectable cuisine to soul-stirring music and captivating dance. Save the dates for an unforgettable experience! 🗓️ 🎶 💃🕺🍴 pic.twitter.com/6dKBjHwXNb
— nagalandtourism (@tourismdeptgon) October 4, 2023
Tsokum
Tsokum Festival is a week-long festival celebrated in the first week of October every year by the Khiamniungan tribe of Nagaland. It is a pre-harvest festival, and is celebrated to invoke the blessings of the gods for a bountiful harvest. The festival begins with a prayer ceremony, where the village elders pray to the gods for a good harvest, and for the well-being of the village.
The festival is also a time for feasting and merrymaking. The villagers cook traditional dishes and enjoy them with their families and friends. There is also music and dancing, and people come together to celebrate their culture and traditions. The festival is a time for the community to come together and celebrate their shared culture and heritage.
Yemshe
Celebrated by the Pochury tribe of Nagaland, Yemshe Festival is a post-harvest festival and celebrated with great pomp and gaiety for a week in the first week of October every year.
One of the most important highlights of Yemshe Festival is the Bamboo Dance. This is a traditional dance performed by both men and women, and is a symbol of unity and community spirit. The dancers carry bamboo poles and beat them together to create a rhythmic sound. The dance is performed with great energy and enthusiasm, and is a sight to behold.
Another important highlight of the festival is the Feast of Cleansing. This is a ritual performed on the last day of the festival, and is meant to cleanse the village of all evil spirits. The villagers cook a special dish called “Yemshe”, which is made from rice, meat, and vegetables. The dish is shared among all members of the village, and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Tsonglak-Nyï
Tsonglak-Nyï is the main festival of the Tikhir tribe of Nagaland. It is a four-day festival celebrated from the 9th to the 12th of October every year. The word “Tsonglak-Nyï” is made up of three words: “Tsong” meaning shield, “lak” meaning sanctification, and “nyï” meaning festival. Tsonglak-Nyï is therefore a festival of the sanctification of the shield.
Tsonglak-Nyï is a time for the Tikhir people to remember their warrior heritage and to celebrate their culture and traditions. One of the most important highlights of Tsonglak-Nyï is the Shield Dance. This is a traditional dance performed by men, and is a symbol of the Tikhir people’s warrior heritage. The dancers carry shields and spears, and perform the dance with great energy and enthusiasm. Tsonglak-Nyï is a time for the Tikhir people to come together and celebrate their culture, traditions, and way of life. It is also a time to give thanks to the gods for their blessings, and to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
Langsimnyi
Langsimnyi is a post-harvest festival celebrated by the Zeliang tribe. An important highlight of the festival is the Feast of Thanksgiving. This is a ritual performed on the last day of the festival, and is meant to give thanks to the gods for their blessings. The villagers cook special dishes and is shared among all members of the village, and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Langsimnyi is a time for the Zeliang tribe to come together and celebrate their culture, traditions, and way of life. It is also a time to give thanks to the gods for their blessings, and to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
Chaga Gadi
The name Chaga Gadi means “Blessed Festival” in the Liangmai dialect. The festival is a time for the Liangmai tribe to thank the gods for their blessings, and to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
Following a custom called ‘Aliam’ during the festival, men abstain from any relationship with women. It is meant to honour the women. The girls are given a treat and complete rest during the feast called “Aliukuang Kan’.
Nagaland is a truly unique and special place, and its festivals are a reflection of its rich cultural heritage. If you have the opportunity to visit Nagaland in October, be sure to check the festival calendar and experience one of these amazing celebrations firsthand. You won’t be disappointed!
