JIRIBAM, November 1: Kut festival, the premiere post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group, organised by Kuki Inpi, Tamenglong district, Jiri Zone was celebrated with song and dance performances, and cultural programme at Lhangnom (Lentuo), a village located in the Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district.
In the morning session of the function, Tamenglong 10/Phaitoi ADC member Hatlhing Doungel, Tousem sub-division SDO Santikumar and Tamenglong Kuki Chief Association president Paomingthang Singson were the cheif guest, guest of honour and function president respectively.
The Kut festival was flagged off by Pastor Lenkholal UPC with the recitation of the opening prayer whereas Kut 2014 chairman Nehsat Thangeo gave the welcome address and the presentation. Imminent human rights activist Seimang Chongloi, adjudged the Kut-pa of the year, later gave a speech on the significance of Kut.
Speaking as the chief guest, Hatlhing Doungel said we can say that those individuals who belong to the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group but are not interested in joining the Kut festival don’t love their own culture and community. Because who will participate in the festival of our own community if we don’t, she added.
Kut festival is also an occasion where the people of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group can showcase their unity, beauty of their culture and customs.
Paomingthang Haokip, speaking as the president of the function, made an appeal for preserving the tradition of celebrating the festival as their ancestors began the tradition while also elaborating on the ancient lore of the origin of the festival.
Guest of honour Santikumar expressed gratitude on the inclusion of the biggest post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group as a general holiday.
Our learned elders have rendered the festival more appealing by including the Miss Kut contest, he added.
The chief guest Hatlhing Doungel presented shawls and sports equipments and were handed over by Deputy Chief Minsiter Gaikhangam to various village chiefs and the cultural troupe.
In the evening session of the function, 87 CRPF Battalion CO Hengjang Vaiphei, Zomi Tribe Council, Jiri general secretary Kaidoukhup and Lhangnom village chief were the chief guest, guest of honour and functional president respectively.
As a part of the Kut festival, a Miss Kut beauty pageant was also held, participated by ten selected contestants from various locations.
CHANDEL, November 1: The Chin Kuki Mizo (CHIKIM) Communities of Chandel District also celebrated the harvesting festival – Kut 2014 at the campus of Standard English High School, Sugnu Tribal under the theme “Unity through Culture” with Ngamkholet Haokip of H Kotlenphai as the Kut Pa.
The noon session of the festival organised by the district level Kut committee, Chandel was graced by MLA 41 Chandel Assembly Constituency ST Nunghlung Victor; Kishan Morcha BJP Manipur Pradesh president Nabachandra Singh, Chandel DC Ningthoujam Geoffrey, and ex-MLA 41 Chandel A/C Thangkholun Haokip as the chief guest, guest of honour, functional president and chief host respectively.
As the huge crowd who were attired in their respective traditional dresses gathered for the celebration, Kut Pa Ngamkholet Haokip declared the celebrations open.
The celebration began with exhibition of colourful cultural dances performed by troupes from different communities besides a spectacular choreography performed by talented young artists including the students of Eimi Welfare, Manipur University in tuned with the theme – Unity through Culture.
Other highlights of the day were the 1st round of the coveted Miss Kut, 2014 beauty contest and performance of the invited Kut artistes.
Village chiefs, social workers, religious leaders, SDO of Chandel and Chakpikarong, SDPO Sugnu, leaders of civil organisations of the district including Chandel Naga Peoples Organization, Kuki Peoples Forum, Chiefs Association also attended the celebration.
Brig. Gajendra Joshi, DIG 28 Sector Assam Rifles; Janglet Haokip, National Council member, BJP and Manglianthang, President of United Zou Organization GHQ will attend the evening session.