Kushhang Leewang
Geyzing, Dec 27
The Limboo community of Lingchom under Yangthang constituency is organizing the three days state level Kokhfewa Tongnam, (festival) on 13th, 14th and 15th January this year. The third edition of Kokhphewa Tongnam is slated to be held at Lingchom Senior Secondary School ground. Considered as one of the most important festival of Limboo community, Kokhphewa Tongnam marks the arrival of New Year and Maaghey Sankranti as well.
In the preliminary meeting held today here at the resident of Padmashree awardee B.B Muringla, various aspects regarding preparation of the festival were discussed and resolutions were also passed. Kokhphewa celebration committee was also formed in the meeting. Purna Hang Limboo has been elected as the president while Bishu Hang Limboo and Ratna Hang Limboo are nominated as general secretaries of the organizing committee.
Purna Hang Subba while interacting with media shared that objective of organizing Kokhphewa Tongnam (Festival) is to revive, protect and promote age old Limboo cultures and traditions and also to educate and aware the young generation about rich cultural heritage of Limboo community. He added that many cultural customs and traditions of Limboo community are on the verge of extinction due to lack of knowledge among new generation and effort towards protection and preservation of cultural heritage. “Our effort is to revive the age old customs and traditions of our community through culture based activities. We assume that the festival could be an effective platform to impart culture and community based knowledge and ideas to our new generation”, he added.
He informed that on 6th December the organizing committee will organize a car rally across west Sikkim on cultural theme to inform people about upcoming Kokhphewa Tongnam. More than 60 vehicles will be the part of the car rally, he said.
B.B Muringla who is the chief patron of organizing committee stated that Kokhphewa Tongnam aims at preservation and promotion of tradition, culture, language, dances, costumes and food of Limboo community. He informed that festival will have the participations of people from Limboo community from across the state, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Siliguri and neighbouring Nepal.
It was informed that series of cultural activities will be the part of the three day festival. Chyabrung dance competition, under 14 open kids fashion show, dhaan Naach and others are some of the attraction. Visitors to the festival can relish upon various traditional foods available at traditional foodstalls. The popular singers of Limboo community, Sunita Thegim, Ganga Phiyak and Yaden Sherman from Nepal will also perform in the three day festival.