Dimapur: The biggest and most important festival of the Angami Nagas, Sekrenyi, took place on Saturday, February 24 at the State Stadium in Dimapur. Organised by the Angami Public Organisation (APO) in collaboration with various frontal organizations, the mega event marked a significant celebration, bringing together all four ranges – Southern Angami, Western Angami, Northern Angami, and Chakhroma.
Sekrenyi holds deep cultural significance, revered as a “festival of purification.” It emphasizes forgiveness and personal purification.
Thousands of attendees, including representatives from Naga Tribal Hohos, Dimapur-based communities, and visitors from outside the state, gathered at the festival. The organizers had extended invitations to over 500 individuals from diverse communities. Anticipating a turnout of at least 15,000 people, this year’s festival aimed to surpass the previous year’s scaled-down celebration.
The festival showcased the rich culture and traditions of the Angami Nagas through colorful traditional attire, ornaments, folk dances, and songs. Tracy Krumm, a textile artist from Minnesota, USA, expressed her excitement, stating, “I am so blown away by what I’ve seen – the work, the community, the skill, the decoration, all of the different communities coming together.”
The event commenced with the arrival of delegations, various Naga Tribal Hohos, community leaders, legislators, and special guests. Folk songs and dances from the four Angami ranges added vibrancy to the celebration. Distinguished guests included Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton.
Sekrenyi, celebrated in February on the 25th day of the Angami calendar month “Kezei,” symbolizes sanctification or purification. Historically a ten-day festival known as Phousanyi, the duration has been shortened due to the community’s adoption of Christianity. The festival now spans one to three days, emphasizing the preservation and promotion of Angami’s cultural heritage.
Razouvotuo Chatso, president of APO, highlighted the festival’s significance in preserving cultural values. The festival, which returned to Dimapur after 25 years, aimed to accommodate a larger audience.
Chief Guest Neiphiu Rio stressed the role of festivals in nurturing community bonds, promoting peaceful coexistence, and reviving ancestral traditions. He emphasized the need for documenting traditional food habits and broader cultural preservation.
Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton praised the Angami community’s contributions and called for unity among Nagas. Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang expressed hope that Sekrenyi 2024 would foster unity, addressing both the Angami community and the broader Naga family in the context of the Indo-Naga Peace Talks.
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