‘Roots Before Wings’: Kohima College hosts cultural extravaganza

Kohima, October 17 (MExN): Kohima College, Kohima, observed its 58th Cultural Day on October 16 at the college courtyard under the theme ‘Roots Before Wings’, bringing together students from diverse Naga communities to celebrate their cultural heritage through traditional songs, folk dances and ethnic presentations.The event featured two special invitees, Kele William Soleho, Co-Founder of Naga1 App and Proprietor of Magdaline Coaching, and Kepozo Kapuh, Best Responder Winner of Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026, stated a press release. In his speech, Soleho connected tradition with entrepreneurship, drawing an analogy from the resilience of bamboo and urging students to integrate indigenous practices such as traditional weaving, local agriculture and community networking into modern entrepreneurship. Addressing the saturation of government employment, he presented enterprise as a remedy for joblessness and reminded students that the greatest tribute they can offer educators is personal success.Echoing his sentiment, Kapuh emphasised that chasing high social mobility must not come at the cost of cultural erasure. Stressing that native dialects, attires and oral histories embody ancestral wisdom, he encouraged students to preserve indigenous knowledge and roots, transcend tribalism and leverage technology for identity rather than mere entertainment.The session featured cultural presentations, including ‘OH HI YO’ by Chakhesang students and ‘A Kecha Kemengu’ by Unutolu Thuluo, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Sha Shiu, Social & Cultural Secretary, KCSC. A key highlight was the display of traditional stalls by students representing different Naga tribes, showcasing traditional Naga cuisines.In the second session, the cultural competitions including the Ethnic Show, War Cry, Folk Dance and Folk Song were held. A special appearance by the Galo Folk Dance group enriched the programme.Sungjeminla, Associate Professor, Department of English and Convenor of SWC, declared the results. In the Ethnic Show, the Mr Ethnic title went to Wapong Longkumer (Ao community) and the Miss Ethnic title to Yonolu (Chakhesang community). The Rengma and Sangtam communities claimed the first and second prizes respectively in the War Cry competition, while the Chakhesang and Angami communities took the first and second prizes in the Folk Song category. In Folk Dance, the Zeliang and Rengma communities claimed the first and second prizes respectively.The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ngumilo, Assistant Social & Cultural Secretary, KCK, followed by a benediction by Kevivono, Prayer Secretary of SCF.