Author Archives: memoriesandsuch

Festivals of India: Moatsu Festival

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Celebrated by the Ao people of Nagaland, the Moatsü festival is celebrated in the first week of May every year with various rituals performed during this period. The Moatsu Festival is one of the most popular and significant festivals celebrated by the Naga tribe and is a time of great joy and celebration.

The Moatsu Festival is a harvest festival, and it is celebrated after the sowing season is over. The festival provides them with a period of recreation and entertainment after the stressful work of clearing fields, burning jungles, sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsubu or wells and repairing and constructing houses by the elders of the Putu Menden or the village council, that stretches over a week. The festival also is the beginning of marriages in spring and the ploughing of old and new Jhum fields. The Moatsü festival which runs for three days from 01 to 03 May is marked by peppy songs and dances and is full of merrymaking and fun. The festival aims to invoke the blessings of the almighty after the completion of sowing. During the festival, the villagers come together to clean the village and the surrounding areas, as they believe that this will bring good luck and prosperity to their village.

During this festival, one of the symbolic celebrations is Sangpangtu, where a big fire is lit and men and women sit around it putting on their complete best attire, the womenfolk serve the wine and meat. The village witch doctors forecast whether good or evil days are awaiting the people and the village by the readings of the celebration.

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The first day of the festival is known as the ‘Likhümthi’, which means the day of the cleaning of the village. On this day, the villagers clean their houses, the streets, and the village common areas. They also decorate their homes with flowers and other decorations to welcome the guests who will visit their homes during the festival. The second day of the festival is known as ‘Moatsu proper’. On this day, the villagers wear their traditional costumes and gather at the village ground to perform various cultural activities. The men and women dance together, sing traditional songs, and play various musical instruments. The Ao people are known for their traditional warrior dances, which are performed during the festival.

The third and final day of the festival is known as ‘Tsuru Nyekha’, which means the day of feasting. On this day, the villagers prepare traditional dishes and invite their friends and relatives to their homes for a feast. The feast includes a variety of dishes, including smoked pork, dried fish, bamboo shoot, and various other delicacies. The feast is a time for the villagers to bond and strengthen their relationships.

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During the festival, one of the symbolic celebrations is Sangpangtu where a big fire is lit and women & men sit around it. The best women serve the best wine and meat and make merry. The forecast is made by the righteous men who live by the guidance of the Almighty to see whether good or evil days are awaiting the people.

The Moatsu Festival is not just a time for celebration, but it is also a time for the Ao people to reinforce their cultural identity. The festival is an opportunity for the villagers to showcase their traditional arts and crafts, such as weaving, wood carving, and beadwork. The festival is also an occasion for young people to learn about their cultural heritage and the traditions of their ancestors.

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The Moatsu Festival has a deep spiritual significance for the Ao people when they offer prayers to their gods and goddesses for a bountiful harvest and good health. The Ao people believe that their gods and goddesses will bless them if they perform the festival with sincerity and devotion. The Moatsu Festival is also a popular tourist attraction with many tourists visiting Nagaland during the festival to experience the rich cultural heritage of the state. In conclusion, the Moatsu Festival is a time of great joy and celebration for the Ao Naga tribe in Nagaland, India. It is a time for the villagers to come together and celebrate their cultural heritage. The festival is a time for the Ao people to give thanks to their gods and goddesses for the bountiful harvest that they have received. The festival is not just a time for celebration, but it is also an opportunity for the villagers to reinforce their cultural identity and showcase their traditional arts and crafts. The Moatsu Festival is a unique festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Ao people and is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the customs and traditions of the Nagas

2023 Week 17

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Singapore has been so hot all this month, and because of the humidity levels, even though the temperature showed 32 degrees, it felt like 40 degrees Celcius. And this is not just restricted to Singapore, starting in April 2023, a record-breaking heat wave has affected many Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Vietnam with several regional temperature records being set. Temperatures so searing in places that people are frying eggs under the heat of the noonday sun with meteorologists tracking temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celcius in India, Thailand and Myanmar, and 42 to 43 degrees Celcius in Bangladesh, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal and China. These are temperatures that most of these countries have not experienced in decades. People are dying of heatstroke as they gather in thick, large crowds under the sun, and students are landing in hospitals as their schools bake in the heat. Power grids are stretched beyond their capacities, and farmers are looking at failed harvests. According to climatologist and weather historian Maximiliano Herrera, the continent is experiencing the worst April heatwave in its history and warned that it will only get worse. This is what climate change is capable of for all those still denying the fact.

Today’s quote is from the creator of a beloved comic strip, Calvin and Hobbs, Bill Watterson. According to Watterson, we are so busy watching out for what is in the future, that we don’t stop and smell the roses and enjoy today. What this means is that we should not let go of what is in front of us today for the chance that the future will be something better.

And speaking of better, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that Covid-19 deaths had dropped by 95% since the start of 2023, but warned that the virus was still on the move. Countries would need to learn how to manage its ongoing non-emergency effects, including the post-infection condition known as long Covid. Some countries are seeing increases, and over the past four weeks, 14,000 people lost their lives to this disease. With the emergence of the new XBB.1.16 variant, the virus is still changing, and is still capable of causing new waves of disease and death. So there’s still a need to be vigilant and stay safe.

And on that note, stay safe everyone and stay blessed!

In My Hands Today…

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What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions – Randall Munroe

The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger. Thank goodness xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to help. Planning to ride a fire pole from the moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing. Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone’s freezer door at the same time? Maybe it’s time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics. Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-story building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist.

Before you go on a cosmic road trip, feed the residents of New York City to a T. rex, or fill every church with bananas, be sure to consult this practical guide for impractical ideas. Unfazed by absurdity, Randall consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airplane-catapult design to clearly and concisely answer his readers’ questions. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.

Filled with bonkers science, boundless curiosity, and Randall’s signature stick-figure comics, What If? 2 is sure to be another instant classic adored by inquisitive readers of all ages.

International Dance Day

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Observed annually on 20 April, International Dance Day celebrates the art of dance and its impact on cultures around the world. In 2023, International Dance Day will mark its 41st anniversary and continues to be an important occasion for dancers, dance enthusiasts, and the general public to come together and celebrate the power of dance.

International Dance Day takes place every year on 29 April, which is the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre who lived between 1727 and 1810 and is considered to be the father or creator of modern ballet, rather the classical or romantic ballet as we know it today and not the modern ballet as this is sometimes confused with contemporary ballet. The day strives to encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals held all over the world. International Dance Day celebrates dance, revels in the universality of this art form, crosses all political, cultural, and ethnic barriers, and brings people together with a common language of dance.

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Dance has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, serving as a way to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with others. Dance can bring people together, regardless of their language, race, or cultural background, making it a universal art form that transcends borders. From classical ballet to hip-hop, from salsa to contemporary dance, there is a wide variety of dance styles that reflect the diversity of cultures and traditions around the world. Each dance style has its unique history, techniques, and expressions, making dance a rich and varied art form that offers something for everyone.

Dance has many benefits for both the dancer and the audience. For dancers, dance is a physical and creative outlet that can improve their physical health, increase their sense of well-being, and enhance their mental clarity. For audiences, watching dance can be an enriching and uplifting experience, providing a way to connect with others and escape from the daily routine. One of the most significant benefits of dance is its ability to bring people together. In today’s world, where division and division often dominate the headlines, dance provides a unifying force, bringing people together in a shared experience. Dance classes, workshops, and performances provide a space for people to connect, learn, and grow together, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

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International Dance Day is an opportunity to celebrate the power of dance and its impact on the world. The goals of International Dance Day are to promote dance in all its forms across the world, to make people aware of the value of dance in all its forms, and to enable the dance community to promote their work on a broad scale, so that governments and opinion leaders are aware of the value and importance of dance in all its forms and support it, to enjoy dance in all its forms for its own sake and to share the joy of dance with others.

This day is observed in many countries around the world with special events, performances, and workshops. Some cities host large-scale dance festivals, showcasing the talents of local and international dancers, while other communities organize smaller-scale events, such as dance classes, demonstrations, and competitions.

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Whether you are a seasoned dancer or a beginner, a fan of the art form, or just someone who enjoys watching others dance, there are many ways to get involved and celebrate this day. You can attend a dance performance or workshop or find a local dance performance or workshop to attend and learn about different dance styles, techniques, and expressions. You could also take a dance class, whether it’s ballet, hip-hop, salsa, or another style, and learn a new dance technique or style. Or you could organize a dance event and share your love of dance with others. You could also watch a dance film, whether it’s a documentary, a feature film, or a concert film, and learn more about the history and cultural significance of dance. Share your dance experiences on social media and encourage others to celebrate International Dance Day by participating in dance events or taking dance classes.

International Dance Day provides an opportunity for the world to come together and celebrate the art of dance. Whether you are a dancer or a dance enthusiast, there are many ways to get involved and celebrate this special day. So let’s come together and dance our way into a better future, one step at a time.

In My Hands Today…

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A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them – Neil Bradbury

As any reader of murder mysteries can tell you, poison is one of the most enduring—and popular—weapons of choice for a scheming murderer. It can be slipped into a drink, smeared onto the tip of an arrow or the handle of a door, even filtered through the air we breathe. But how exactly do these poisons work to break our bodies down, and what can we learn from the damage they inflict?

In a blend of popular science, medical history, and true crime, Dr. Neil Bradbury explores the morbidly captivating method of murder from a cellular level. Alongside real-life accounts of murderers and their crimes—some notorious, some forgotten, some still unsolved—are the stories of the poisons involved: eleven molecules of death that work their way through the human body and, paradoxically, illuminate the way in which our bodies function.

Drawn from historical records and current news headlines, A Taste for Poison weaves together the tales of spurned lovers, shady scientists, medical professionals and political assassins to show how the precise systems of the body can be impaired to lethal effect through the use of poison. From the deadly origins of the gin & tonic cocktail to the arsenic-laced wallpaper in Napoleon’s bedroom.