Stone pulling ceremony at Viswema village, Nagaland. The Angami folks in traditional attire pushing and chanting traditional tune at the ceremony.
Adding flavor to the festivities at Hornbill 2013, the Nagaland state tourism department in collaboration with the people of Viswema, showcased the popular stone pulling ceremony at the foothill of Mt. Japfu. The event was held in commemoration of 50th anniversary of the statehood of Nagaland and also in commemoration of the 50 years of Viswema Students' Union (VSU).
Thousands of people in traditional attires joined the traditional stone pulling ceremony. Celebratory yells, folk songs and dances surrounded the event, which concluded with a grand feast.
Prior to the arrival of Christianity, Viswema villagers would pull stone monuments along roadsides leading to their village. These stones measured from about two to twelve feet high. They commemorate feasts given by married couples to the entire village. A preparatory feast called 'Tem-za' followed by three merit feasts 'Zhotho' had to be given by the couple, after which, two pre-selected stones, one for the husband and the other for the wife, were dragged to the village by people in full traditional regalia and planted upright at a vantage spot. During the stone pulling process the accompanying women with food and drink in their baskets take care not to touch the rope or cross over it, as that is considered taboo.
As per tradition, nine such feasts could be extended in succession, as and when convenient. The cycle would then be repeated, if a couple desired to do so. These stone cenotaphs are thus symbols perpetuating the memory of persons through the feasts given by them and was considered the ultimate benchmark of achievement.
Though this ancient custom is no longer practiced, one can still admire the multiple significance of its purpose. It nurtured the culture of sharing and motivated people to put in additional efforts beyond what was required to sustain their lives.
Adding flavor to the festivities at Hornbill 2013, the Nagaland state tourism department in collaboration with the people of Viswema, today showcased the popular stone pulling ceremony at the foothill of Mt. Japfu. The event was held in commemoration of 50th anniversary of the statehood of Nagaland and also in commemoration of the 50 years of Viswema Students' Union (VSU).
Thousands of people in traditional attires joined the traditional stone pulling ceremony. Celebratory yells, folk songs and dances surrounded the event, which concluded with a grand feast.
Prior to the arrival of Christianity, Viswema villagers would pull stone monuments along roadsides leading to their village. These stones measured from about two to twelve feet high. They commemorate feasts given by married couples to the entire village. A preparatory feast called 'Tem-za' followed by three merit feasts 'Zhotho' had to be given by the couple, after which, two pre-selected stones, one for the husband and the other for the wife, were dragged to the village by people in full traditional regalia and planted upright at a vantage spot. During the stone pulling process the accompanying women with food and drink in their baskets take care not to touch the rope or cross over it, as that is considered taboo.
As per tradition, nine such feasts could be extended in succession, as and when convenient. The cycle would then be repeated, if a couple desired to do so. These stone cenotaphs are thus symbols perpetuating the memory of persons through the feasts given by them and was considered the ultimate benchmark of achievement.
Though this ancient custom is no longer practiced, one can still admire the multiple significance of its purpose. It nurtured the culture of sharing and motivated people to put in additional efforts beyond what was required to sustain their lives.
Source: The Morung Express
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