A community event of the Ollo community of Arunachal Pradesh living in Nagaland. The community celebrated their 4th Woraang Festival at the local ground of Purana Bazar-B, in Dimapur on May 29 Saturday.
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| Photo by: Temshi |
The Ollo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is currently residing in Namyung Township in the eastern regions of Nagaland and in Naga-inhabited areas of Tirap and Changland districts in Arunachal Pradesh.
Woraang festival is one of the community’s most important festivals, among the 12 others celebrated annually.
Literally, ‘Woraa’ means ‘Hornbill’ while ‘raang’ denotes ‘decoration.’ Hence, Woraang means ‘beautifully dressed like a hornbill’. The festival is celebrated after completion of jhum cultivation during April and May.
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| Photo by: Temshi |
History:
The Ollos live in two distinct countries. They are settled in the adjoining hill tracts of extreme north-eastern part of India, Arunachal Pradesh or NEFA, known as North-East Frontier Area, and Myanmar (Burma). So far, the size of the area could not be measured due to distinct national complexities, and as a result it is unknown to us. Even though they live in two distinct countries, they know each other, share their common interests, and help each other. As they are of the same blood, they maintain a close relationship. It is a very interesting thing to note that the international boundary cannot part their matrimonial, fraternal, clannish, and social relationships between them. They speak the same dialect, practice the same religion, and follow the same traditions and customs. Through a personal interview with Moben, it is learnt that about 30 percent of the villages of Ollo tribal group live in Indian region while almost 70 per cent of themlive in Myanmar region today
The Ollos construct houses made of stilts, although the chief's houses of the villages are constructed with massive carved blocks and wooden pillars. Dormitories are provided for bachelors and unmarried woman separately. According to their tradition, it is a place where the elders teach the children about traditional mythology, folklore and religion. Today, Christian teaching is also mixed with traditional teaching.
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