Chandel, October 23: The first combined Chavan Kumhrin of the Western Valley Area in Chandel district was celebrated on Thursday at Thungcheng village with great pomp and a show of cultural activities.
Celebrated under the theme “Bring the best of the first fruits to the house of the Lord your God,” the combined Chavan Kumhrin was organised by the Western Valley Area Sinnu Ruwl (WVASR).
Dressed and adorned in traditional attires and ornaments, the Anal Naga community of the Western Valley Area gathered at Thungcheng Village Ground, bringing their first and best harvest of the year as a thanksgiving to the Almighty.
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The celebration saw various activities such as cultural dances, folk songs, choreography. Welcoming the congregation, Dr. Ht. Thumjahring, President, WVASR, informed that this is the first time a combined celebration of the Chavan Kumhrin has been organised for the Western Valley Area. She said the womenfolk took up the initiative with an aim to bring the people of the area together and celebrate it in a grand manner.
As Chief Guest, Sng. Mohelas, Port Administrator, Moreh, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, stressed the need to preserve the identity of the Anal Naga community. He said that if one was to keep their identity, they should preserve their culture. “If we lose our culture, we’ll lose our identity too,” Mohelas said.
Extending his wishes on the occasion of Chavan Kumhrin, a harvest festival, Mohelas also appealed to the Anal community to preserve such festivals and celebrate them in a grand manner. He also spoke on the importance of education and jobs to raise the identity of a community among others.
Praying for blessings upon the festival, Rev. Kl. Tangthu, Executive Secretary, ANBA, invoked God’s blessings upon the offerings brought forth by the women leaders of the Western Valley Area.
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He said Chavan Kumhrin is a festival, a celebration of thanksgiving to God Almighty for His abundant blessings. Therefore, we must bring forth the best fruits of our harvest and offer them to God, he said.
The event also saw various other activities such as choreography by Children Caring Home, Unopat; a special song by Juwlbangching Sinnu Ruwl; folk songs by Beru Khudam Sinnu Ruwl and Thungcheng Sinnu Ruwl; and a cultural dance by the youths of the Western Valley Area, among others.
The celebration was attended by Hl. Lovingson as Functional President, Ps. Molun and Kt. Hari as Special Guests, besides a host of special invitees that included social workers, student leaders, women leaders.