Moatsu Festival: The Traditional Festival of the Ao Tribe of Nagaland
Moatsu Festival of Nagaland
Who Celebrates Moatsu Festival?
The Ao People of Nagaland celebrate the Moatsu festival.
The Ao People of Nagaland celebrate the Moatsu festival.
When is Moatsu Festival Celebrated in Nagaland?
The Moatsu festival is celebrated in Nagaland. This year Moatsu Festival 2023 will be celebrated from May 1st to May 3rd. Previously Moatsu Festival used to be celebrated for 7 days but now this traditional festival is celebrated for three days only.
Venue, Date, and Time of the Moatsu Festival Celebration:
Address of the Venue: Public Ground Arkong, Mokokchung, Nagaland 798601
Date: 1 May 2023 - 3 May 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
The Moatsu festival is celebrated in Nagaland. This year Moatsu Festival 2023 will be celebrated from May 1st to May 3rd. Previously Moatsu Festival used to be celebrated for 7 days but now this traditional festival is celebrated for three days only.
Venue, Date, and Time of the Moatsu Festival Celebration:
Address of the Venue: Public Ground Arkong, Mokokchung, Nagaland 798601
Date: 1 May 2023 - 3 May 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Who Organises Moatsu Festival:
The Moatsu Festival in Nagaland is organized by the Tourism Department of Nagaland.
The Moatsu Festival in Nagaland is organized by the Tourism Department of Nagaland.
What is Moatsu Festival and Where is Moatsu Festival Celebrated?
The Ao People of Nagaland celebrate the Moatsu festival. This is a three-day festival centered around community bonding held in May. As part of the celebration, the villagers express their friendship for one another by sharing gifts, making new friends, feasting, building a bonfire, and so on.
Every year, Moatsü is celebrated during the first week of May. During this time, different customs are performed. After the sowing is finished, the Aos observe Moatsü Mong. After a week of exhausting labor clearing fields, burning jungles, sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsubu (wells), and fixing and building houses by elders of the Putu Menden, the festival serves as a time for recreation and enjoyment.
The Ao People of Nagaland celebrate the Moatsu festival. This is a three-day festival centered around community bonding held in May. As part of the celebration, the villagers express their friendship for one another by sharing gifts, making new friends, feasting, building a bonfire, and so on.
Every year, Moatsü is celebrated during the first week of May. During this time, different customs are performed. After the sowing is finished, the Aos observe Moatsü Mong. After a week of exhausting labor clearing fields, burning jungles, sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsubu (wells), and fixing and building houses by elders of the Putu Menden, the festival serves as a time for recreation and enjoyment.
Why Moatsu Festival is Celebrated? / History of Moatsu Festival:
The Moatsu Festival celebrates the completion of the sowing season and the start of the season for harvesting. It is an occasion to express gratitude to the deities for the abundant harvest and to seek their future blessings. The festival also allows the Ao tribe to gather and strengthen their ties through feasting, dancing, and other traditional activities. The Moatsu Festival has a long and rich history that dates back to pre-colonial times, and it is a significant component of Nagaland's cultural heritage.
As per legend, the celebration was founded by a brave warrior named Mongko Phom, who led his people to victory over their rivals. In celebration of the victory, he organized a grand feast and invited all of his tribe's members to attend. The feast became an annual tradition, and it eventually evolved into the Moatsu Festival.
The Moatsu Festival celebrates the completion of the sowing season and the start of the season for harvesting. It is an occasion to express gratitude to the deities for the abundant harvest and to seek their future blessings. The festival also allows the Ao tribe to gather and strengthen their ties through feasting, dancing, and other traditional activities. The Moatsu Festival has a long and rich history that dates back to pre-colonial times, and it is a significant component of Nagaland's cultural heritage.
As per legend, the celebration was founded by a brave warrior named Mongko Phom, who led his people to victory over their rivals. In celebration of the victory, he organized a grand feast and invited all of his tribe's members to attend. The feast became an annual tradition, and it eventually evolved into the Moatsu Festival.
Celebration of the Moatsu Festival:
Lively and high-spirited songs and dances distinguish the Moatsü festival. The entire festival is only held for three days, from May 1 to 3. One of the symbolic celebrations during the festival is Sangpangtu, a ceremony where a large fire is lit and men and women sit around it dressed up in their cultural attire, while the women serve wine and meat. By reading the Moatsü festival, village witch doctors predict whether good or evil days await the people and the village. This festival was also marked by the ritualistic public fornication of a young virgin and a pubescent boy to commemorate the fertility of the land at the time.
Lively and high-spirited songs and dances distinguish the Moatsü festival. The entire festival is only held for three days, from May 1 to 3. One of the symbolic celebrations during the festival is Sangpangtu, a ceremony where a large fire is lit and men and women sit around it dressed up in their cultural attire, while the women serve wine and meat. By reading the Moatsü festival, village witch doctors predict whether good or evil days await the people and the village. This festival was also marked by the ritualistic public fornication of a young virgin and a pubescent boy to commemorate the fertility of the land at the time.
Highlights of the Moatsu Festival:
- Traditional Cuisines and Wines.
- Cultural Songs and Dance.
- Folklores Sharing.
- Playing Traditional Sports like Tug of War.
Moatsu Festival: Customs and Rituals
- The forefathers' natural customary practice was to compete in producing the best rice beer and rearing the best domestic animal (such as a pig) to be slaughtered during the festival.
- The women weave the finest traditional garments and lavishly adorn themselves. They dance, eat, drink, and compose warrior songs alongside the men.
- The older men encourage the young people to be brave and heroic in order to defend and protect them from enemies, as head-hunting was practiced during their forefathers' time.
- The Ao people furnish their homes, specifically for this special day, and large crowds assemble around outdoor fires to sing traditional songs and dances. The performances are intended to convey gratitude to God for assisting the crops in growing healthily.
- Sangpangtu is the custom of lighting a big fire, and there are plenty of traditional food preparations and rice beer to accompany the celebrations. During this festival, one of the symbolic celebrations is Sangpangtu, in which a large fire is lit and women and men sit around it. The best women serve the best wine and meat and have a good time.
- The forecast is made by righteous men who live by the Almighty's guidance to determine whether good or evil days await the people.
- Parties of old and young people dressed in colorful costumes sing songs and dance to express their gratitude to the supreme power for allowing the crops to grow well.
- They present the best offerings to the supreme power in exchange for abundant blessings.
- These festivals provide opportunities for young people and village elders to showcase their intellectual and physical abilities.
- A small group of young men stand on stage, telling amusing stories about their elders. Young and old jump with delight.
- A tug-of-war between men and women usually concludes these festivals.
- There are numerous stories about men sacrificing themselves to please their female counterparts. But no one has refuted the argument that men lose gracefully when drawn in by their opponents' charm, absorbed by their sweet songs, and regaled by their very presence. The only defense offered is that men must pull uphill while women must pull downhill. Whatever the motivation for this sport, it is a joy to watch and an honor to participate in.
How to Reach Mokokchung to Celebrate Moatsu Festival?
By Air: Dimapur is the nearest airport to Mokokchung which is 197 KMs away. From here travelers can hire a taxi or can use public transport.
By Train: Dimapur railway station is the nearest railway station to Mokokchung which is 199 KMs away. From here travelers can hire a taxi or can use public transport.
By Road: Kohima is the nearest major city to the Mokokchung which is 145 km away. From here travelers can hire a taxi or can use public transport.
By Air: Dimapur is the nearest airport to Mokokchung which is 197 KMs away. From here travelers can hire a taxi or can use public transport.
By Train: Dimapur railway station is the nearest railway station to Mokokchung which is 199 KMs away. From here travelers can hire a taxi or can use public transport.
By Road: Kohima is the nearest major city to the Mokokchung which is 145 km away. From here travelers can hire a taxi or can use public transport.
Final Words:
The Moatsu Festival is a vibrant and colorful celebration of Nagaland's rich cultural heritage. It is a joyful and celebratory time when people gather to strengthen their bonds and pray for a bountiful harvest. The festival is a testament to the Ao tribe's resilience and strength, as well as a reminder of the value of tradition and community in our lives.
The Moatsu Festival is a vibrant and colorful celebration of Nagaland's rich cultural heritage. It is a joyful and celebratory time when people gather to strengthen their bonds and pray for a bountiful harvest. The festival is a testament to the Ao tribe's resilience and strength, as well as a reminder of the value of tradition and community in our lives.
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