Moatsu Festival: Why is it celebrated?
India is a land of cultural diversity, dotted by a wide-ranging variety of customs, rituals, fairs and festivals. One such vibrant festival celebrated in our country is the Moatsu Festival, which occurs in the first week of May. This year, it started on the 1st of May and concluded on 3rd May.
Motasu is a harvest festival is celebrated by the Ao tribe of Nagaland in Mokokchung town, around 150 kilometres from Nagaland's capital city, Kohima in the hope of good harvest. After the rigorous effort of clearing fields, burning jungles, seeding crops, cleaning up the Tsubu (wells), and repairs and construction of houses by elders, the festival gives people a three-day period of recreation and entertainment. Originally, it used to be held for six days. This 3-day festival is seen as a sort of reward for those who have put in lengthy hours in the fields. In this celebration, marked by peace and unity, people sing, dance, feast, and pray.
Rituals associated with Moatsu Festival
As already mentioned, this festival is celebrated with great fanfare. Apart from the fun and feast, it is associated with a many interesting customs.
One such symbolic ritual is Sangpangtu. In this, a large fire is lit and men and women sit around it dressed to the nines. The ladies serve beer made out of rice and variety of meat preparations to the family members and guests. Another feature of the festivity is the prediction made by a wise person who, with the help of God, foretells the good and terrible days that may impact the village. The tribal people decorate their homes for this occasion and gather in huge groups around outside fires to perform in traditional songs and dances. The performances are intended to offer appreciation to God for assisting in the healthy growth of the crops.
Moatsu Festival begins just after the Süngküms (village gates) have been closed and free entry or exit gets restricted and regulated for people who do not belong to that particular village. This ensures that the festival is only attended by the people of Ao tribe, making it an extremely private affair. Moreover, men and women participate in a tug-of-war competition while singing warrior songs and demonstrating their physical ability. Another noteworthy element of this festival includes discussions about marriages that are scheduled to take place in the spring season and many legends about their forefathers which are told by young boys as well as brave and daring warriors.