Poumai village chiefs briefed on their responsibilities
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, November 29 2022:
A one-day awareness programme of Poumai Naga Village Chiefs' Association (PNVCA), Senapati district was held at DRDA hall here on Tuesday.
Th Ngaopunii Rao, who spoke on the topic "The importance of King and its responsibility" as the resource person, said that our culture and traditions are not written but passed down the generations verbally and during such transactions many were lost and forgotten.
After Christianity, many rules of and practices by the village chiefs started diminishing.
He then referred to the forefathers' saying that a village chief holds great responsibility for the welfare of his village and the prosperity of the village also depends on the village chief by the way of his life and conduct.
Rao, the author of "Poumai taboos and proverbs", also shared Various points about what qualities a village chief should possess and how a village chief was chosen in the olden days.
Based on forefathers' beliefs and practices, Rao made the gathering aware about various dos and don'ts for a village chief and also the responsibilities.
The resource person also narrated many stories related to village chief where a village is blessed or cursed due to the chief's behaviour and conduct.
He also highlighted the various responsibilities of a village chief/king and respect deserved by the chief from the villagers.
Rao also shared how a village chief/king can rule or maintain the village peacefully with reference to the Kings from the Bible.
In his address, PNVCA advisor Dr Alexander Pao said that a king/village chief should be truthful, check the need and requirement of the village and serve others faithfully.
He reminded the village chief to stand for righteousness to earn respect from the people, and also to maintain self-respect and responsibility.
The advisor also called upon the village chief to work hard and be self-reliant for survival while urging the gathering to maintain their status to be respected by others.
The morning session chaired by advocate Shimsak Raili included invocation prayer by Poumai Baptist Church Senapati, associate pastor Sho Ramai, opening song presented by Th Ngaopuni Rao, welcome address delivered by PNVCA president S Lakho, and closing prayer proposed by N Nakhu Tao.
The afternoon session opened with a prayer by Senapati district village chiefs' association president H Silas Zho, as PNVCA advisor Lawrence S Khah delivered an exhortation speech and S Thaio (Koide) spoke on the topic "Rite and rituals of a king" as the resource person, followed by vote of thanks from PNVCA advisor Th Rapei, and benediction prayer by Ng Kho.
There was interaction and discussion after the formal programme.
More than 40 village chiefs/kings from different villages of Poumai tribe attended the programme.