Laonii celebrated, market shed inaugurated
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, July 14 2022:
A Sheemai (Maiba) Laonii celebration cum inauguration of women market shed was held with Denapati DC Mahesh Chaudhari as chief guest and SDO/BDO Paomata Dr Angshim Dangshawa as guest of honour.
The programme was attended by S Lunguiba Thangal, SDO/BDO Purul; Christian Home, SDO/BDO Phaibung; Solomon, Arow, president Naga People's Organization; D Dailord Pao, president Poumai Naga Union and others.
Laonii festival is celebrated in all the Poumai Naga villages post paddy rice transplantation and the festival usually falls in the month of July.
Laonii is not only an occasion of feasting, brewing and drinking the choicest rice beer and sharing happiness of each other after days of hard labour in transplantation, but it is also a time to observe strict 'genna', rites and rituals for a good harvest.
Although there may be difference of days in celebration, the Paomata circle of the Poumai community celebrates Lao festival for 5 days with varied themes of each day.
Sheemai (Maiba) village under Senapati district has around 440 households with a population of more than 5,000.In his address, the Senapati DC while Stating that the district administration has been doing whatever they could to develop the district suggested labour budget and village authority meetings during the month of October or November to chalk out plans and spend at least one day for betterment of villages which are the available platform to solve the problems faced by the villagers alone.
He also informed that under the initiative of chief minister N Biren all DCs are directed to launch "Hill Leaders Day" (Meeyamgi Numit) at all district headquarters at DC offices on every third Friday of a month.
The programme for village leaders will be held for the first time in the district on July 15, the DC said, adding that the district administration is ready to assist in alternate cropping for poppy.
S Lunguiba Thangal, SDO/BDO Purul, lauded Sheemai village for being the first village to accept Christianity among Poumai Naga community.
The SDO then stressed the need to pass on the knowledge about the festival which has been celebrated since forefathers' time after hard months of labour in farming.
Dr Angshim Dangshawa, SDO/BDO Paomata, during his speech sought suggestions from the public to bring about development in the region.
D Dailord Pao, president Poumai Naga Union and Solomon Arow, president Naga People's Organization also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, BL Louniio, village chairman, gave a welcome address.
With the opening of the market shed, women of the village are hopeful that they can now sell their yearly products and daily yields.
Folksongs and cultural shows marked the day depicting age old traditions.