Kohima, Aug. 5: The Metumniu festival of the Yimchunger community began yesterday at Shamator town, 300km from Nagaland’s capital.

The five-day festival is celebrated after the harvest of millet and is connected with the prayers for the departed souls.

Each day of the five days known as shito, zhihto, zumto, khehresuk and sheresuk, has a special significance

The festival will continue till August 8.

On the first day, parliamentary secretary T. Torechu was the chief guest and with MLA and adviser, village guards T. Kejong Chang as the guest of honour and parliamentary secretary R. Tohanba as the special guest.

Nearly 30 culture troupes performed dances and songs during the celebration.

More than 5,000 people attended the first day of the festival. An elder, known as kheanpuru, inaugurated the festival.

On the first day, the community cleans the village.

The damage roads and homes are repaired on the second day.

On the third day, inter-village roads are taken up and on the forth day, waterbodies and springs are cleaned giving a new look to the village and its surroundings.

Special prayers are held and offerings are made during the Metumniu festival.