The Biate community of Jaiñtia Hills celebrated Nul-Ding Kût, the festival of renewal of life, in Kulpui village, East Jaiñtia Hills on Saturday with traditional fervour and gaiety.
Organised by the Biate Cultural Organization of Meghalaya (BCOM) the festival, which was held at the Lamzol (festival ground), was marked by the coming together of thousands of Biates from different corners of the Jaiñtia Hills district and from neighbouring Assam adorning themselves gracefully in their cultural attire.
The festival began with the Bible reading and prayer by Rev. Joseph Nampui Pastor in charge of the centenary District (Biateram Synod) after which it was followed by the mass singing of the Biate Anthem.
The first session of the festival was opened by the beating of traditional gong five times by the Biate deputy chief Lalliankhuma Ngamlai that signified the five clans of Nampui, Darnei, Ngamlai, Ngirsim and Thiaite.
Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla who attended the festival as the chief guest encouraged all the community members to maintain and preserve the unique festival and to also maintain the age-old culture and traditions and to stand out with pride and honour before the whole world. She has also expressed her unflinching desire and commitment to bring change and development to the Biate community by bringing about more improvement to the educational and sports facilities.
MDC Arbor Hima Darnei urged the community to preserve and promote the unique Biate culture while MAC of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council Lalremsiama Darnei referred to a quote “Lost of culture, lost of identity” and said it is always important to keep culture close and everything comes next.
The MAC also sang a famous Biate folk song, “Tui-sanglian La”(The Song of the Great Flood), which raised the festive spirit and mood of the people attending the festival.
Biate Devanpui Meghalaya president David Ngaite said the Nul-Ding Kût festival is a heritage given by God. Celebrating the festival with grace and honour means respecting the Biate community and revering God, the creator of the community, he said.
BCOM president RC Khupa Ngamlai informed that the next festival will be held at Mullian village, East Jaiñtia Hills.
The day’s programme included cultural dance and songs and a men’s traditional game known as ‘Lam-ving Rikâp’.
The Mr and Miss Kût competition was won by Caleb Darnei and Miriami Ngamlai both of Thuruk unit respectively.
The special guests at the festival were, Dr. Erik De Maaker, Prof. Anthropology, Leiden University, Netherlands, Anna Notsu, PhD scholar, LeidenUniversity, Dr. Amit John Kurien, Professor Environmental Science, RV University, Bengaluru, Abhimanyu Chettri, PhD scholar, Leiden University, Zosiama Thianglai Sirdar, Saipung Sirdarship, Newbok War (Synjuk Waheh Shnong Ri Jaintia), M. Passah SDO, PHE Khliehriat, P. Syrti JE, PHE Khliehriat, Oswald B. Nampui General Secretary Jaintia Youth Federation -Central Body, Lalsolomon Darnei President All Biate Students Association-General Body, Prince Sukhlain (VPP Candidate JHADC 27-Saipung Constituency) and William Thiaite (Congress Candidate JHADC 27-Saipung Constituency).
