Yemshe: Harvest, Heritage, and Harmony
The vibrant celebration of ‘Yemshe,’ the premier harvest festival of the Pochury community in Nagaland, was celebrated from October 1st to 5th, this festival invokes blessings for a bountiful harvest and strengthens the bond of community.
In the charming highlands of Nagaland, where traditions are woven as tightly as a grandmother’s knitting, the Pochury community in Kohima recently pulled out all the stops to celebrate their premier festival, ‘Yemshe’. It’s a time-honoured occasion to welcome the new harvest and to ask the good Lord above for a bounty worthy of the hard toil of the past year.
The celebrations kicked off in proper style at the Cathedral Jubilee Memorial Hall, with none other than Nyusietho Nyuthe, the advisor for New and Renewable Energy and NSDMA, as the chief guest. The gathering, orchestrated by the Pochury Hoho Kohima (PHK), brimmed with traditional fervour, a sight as delightful as a freshly brewed cuppa on a misty autumn morning.
Mr. Nyuthe, in true festive spirit, took to the stage to remind everyone that at the heart of Naga festivals lies a deeper meaning than mere revelry. “The idea behind this celebration,” he said, “is to invoke God’s blessing. In our society, before we embark on anything, we seek divine guidance.” Quite right too – can’t have a good harvest without a bit of celestial favour, can we?
Thosiepa Katiry, the general secretary of PHK, gave the audience a little education on the significance of Yemshe. With the precision of a headmaster outlining exam rules, he explained that this festival is the highlight of the Pochury calendar. “Yemshe is celebrated to welcome the new harvest,” he said, “and no one dares touch the crops until the festival’s over. It’s a 22-day affair, starting at the end of September and culminating in what we call ‘Sanctification Day’ in the first week of October.” A grand build-up if there ever was one!
In recent times, the good folk have streamlined the event, settling on October 5 as the official Sanctification Day – no faffing about, just pure celebration. The anticipation of a good harvest after a year’s labour under sun and rain is enough to have everyone, young and old, rich and poor, bursting with excitement. “It’s not just a festival,” one might say, “it’s a well-deserved reward!”
Former MLA Yitachu chimed in with a rallying cry for the community to band together. He pointed out that the Pochury people, often overlooked due to their geographic location, face challenges in education and economics. “Unity and brotherhood,” he said, “are our ticket to progress.” Stirring words indeed – after all, as the we say, “many hands make light work.”
And what’s a festival without a bit of pomp? The Pochury certainly know how to put on a show. Folk songs and dances took centre stage, with various groups from different regions participating. There were also traditional games – the sort that would have made our ancestors beam with pride.
Over in Phor village, another celebration was in full swing on October 4. Nyuthe made an appearance there too, addressing the locals and encouraging them to keep unity at the forefront of their minds. The atmosphere was positively electric, with dances, cultural performances, and no shortage of camaraderie.
The Yemüshe festival is undoubtedly the pride of the Pochury tribe, and every year from October 1st to the 5th, the community comes together to mark this special occasion. It’s more than just a harvest festival – it’s a time to honour traditions, celebrate unity, and anticipate a prosperous future. As an old Englishman would put it, “it’s the sort of do where everyone’s in fine fettle, and long may it continue!”.
Cover Image Sources : India Tours
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