‘Persem Kut’ festival celebrated in West Karbi Anglong

DIPHU — ‘Persem Kut’ festival was celebrated with pomp and gaiety by a lesser-known community/tribe Sakachep/ Khelma, living in West Karbi Anglong under Socheng MAC constituency bordering Meghalaya, at Langkircha LP school playground in Diphu on Tuesday.

The festival was organised for the first time in West Karbi Anglong. 

Persem Kut is a festival of exchanging flowers between boys and girls. It is a festival where parents give their blessings to their children for good health and to overcome all evils in life. As a sign of friendship boys and girls exchange flowers.

As told by the assistant secretary of the Sakachep Community Committee (SCC), Neiselngul Telengsing said that Sakachep is a sub-tribe of Kuki’s larger community. The tribe with a population of 1500 is found only in some villages bordering Meghalaya in West Karbi Anglong.

Telengsing reported that the Sankachep tribe is found only in five villages viz. Langkircha, Khelimulong, Socheng, Rumphum and Umpho under Socheng Member of the Autonomous Council (MAC) constituency.

In Dima Hasao (NC Hills) they are called Khelma.

Assuring the community of providing various developmental schemes in the area, he said that a community hall will be constructed at Langkircha from the MAC Local Area Development fund; and would also provide potable water facility and repair school buildings.

During the festival, Sakachep youth performed Vailem – a dance of receiving guests and songs Kut La and Kachin Ala and Rokol Pet Lamb – bamboo dance .