The festival is being organized by Tangkhul Naga Ato Longphang (TNAL, Northern Council) and will continue till December 17 .
52 conglomerates of northern villages are in the fray to contest for various Tangkhul traditional folk games under the the motto, 'Our culture is Our Identity' during the festival, which is believed to the the grandest cultural event ever witnessed in the history of the Tangkhuls.
According to the Chairman of Tangkhul Naga Ato Longphang, AS Thanmi, the five-day mega event will witness competitions in Khangatuk (wrestling), Thingneira Khangakhun (tug of war), Saotheila (Bean's game), Khamahon (folk dance), Laa Khanganui (folk song), Sao Takkashai (top game) and Ngala Khangayan (traditional beauty pageant) and other attractive indigenous cultural items.
The winners of these competitions would be richer by Rs 25, 000 to Rs 15, 000, he added.
Hordes of dignitaries including SZ Samuel, Chief Security Commissioner, North Frontier Railway Maligaon, Guwahati DGP OSD Chiphang Peter Ngahanyui, Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, DIG of 10 Sector Somsai Headquarters Ukhrul, Aleng A Shimray, Commissioner Excise, Additional CEO of Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (ADC) Grace Luikham, Chief Engineer PHED, Varypam HS and Phanitphang Wungkhai, Jailer, Additional SP, HA Wungrampan, Headman, Hunphun/Ukhrul and BDO LM Block, Polly VS, and Aza A Shimray Ex MLA and YK Shimray, General Manager LIC, Professor Dr Horam, Ex MLA, Mingthing Horam, Special Contractor, MK Presho, Sr Scientific Officer Science and Technology Ecology Wing, Jubilate Kazingmei FGC, Imphal, Solomon Ningshen, President, TNL and Ningam Kasar, 2nd in Command CRPF would grace the five-day event on different days and sessions.