Moatsü

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The Moatsü Mong festival is celebrated by the Ao people of Nagaland, India.

Moatsü is celebrated in the first week of May every year. Various rituals are performed during this period. The Aos observe Moatsü Mong after the sowing is done. The festival provides the Aos a period of recreation and entertainment after the stressful work of clearing fields, burning jungles and sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsubu (wells) and repairs and construction of houses by elders of the Putu Menden, stretching over a week. The Moatsü festival is marked by peppy songs and dances. The whole festival with full of merry making and fun is observed only for three days from 1st to 3rd of May. During this festival one of the symbolic celebrations is Sangpangtu, where a big fire is lit and men and women sit around it. Men & women putting on the complete best attire and the womenfolk serve the wine and meat. Righteous man who lives by the guidance of the Almighty forecast whether good or evil days are awaiting the people and the village by readings of the celebration of the Moatsü festival.

[edit] Customs and rituals

The natural customary practice of the forefathers was competing in making the best rice-beer and rearing the best possible pigs and cows to be slaughtered during the festival. The womenfolk weave the best of traditional garments and adorn themselves with all their fineries. They join the men folk in dancing, eating and drinking and composing warrior songs. Singing songs in praise of the lover and the village as a whole is done and the older men folk encourages the young people to be bold and heroic to defend and protect them from enemies as head-hunting was practiced during the fore-fathers time.

[edit] The festival's meaning

The principal aim of this festival is to invoke Almighty God’s blessings after finishing the diverse activities, such as:

Repairs and construction of houses by elders of the Putu Menden (Village Council)
Marriages in spring season
Ploughing of old and new Jhum Kheti
Cleaning up the Tsubü (Water Wells)

On completion of all these manifold activities celebration of Moatsü Mong takes place.