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Video

Chungtia i Yim Semra Nü Sashi Tai*

Thirty Villagers Praising Chungtia Village

Details

Singer / Performer

Nungchetchila Longchar

Tribe

Ao

Performer’s Tribe

Ao

Language / Dialect

Mongsen

Region / Village

Not specified

Date & Place of Recording

19 March, 2025, Nagaland University, Meriema

Recorded By

L. D. Miller Pou

Theme of the Song

Ballad

Occasion of Performance

Work Song

Contextual Interpreter

Nungchetchila Longchar

Lyric Transliteration

Chungtia i yim semra nü sashi tai

Oh Meüvtiba baja baso yimko

Ningjang bening rata metem

Nanochanger jongteptsümino

English Translation Lyrics

Thirty villagers are praising the Chungtia village

Oh after the birth of Meüvtiba in the village

Like the thunder coming from the sky

The young adults wishes to fight like the old days

Contextual Interpretation

This song talks about a warrior named Meüvtiba from ‘Chungtia’ village. It tells about how after the birth of Meüvtiba, a strong and fearless warrior from Chungtia, became known to all. Like the strong thunderstorm coming from the sky, thirty villagers fearlessly talked about the strong warrior who has made a name for himself with such pride. Here the people talk and reminisce about how they wanted to go back in time to adulthood, where they were young and strong and wanted to fight among each other. Many Ao villages have called ‘Aba’ which means father to the Chungtia village as they are known to be the most fearless warriors during the headhunting times. Many Ao villages have sought help from Chungtia warriors and they have extended their help in times of their help. So Meüvtiba is also one of the many strong warriors that emerged from Chungtia village.

Myths or Stories Associated

Legends related to the song

Meüvtiba is a legend who has lived during the head hunting days in Chungtia village and till to this day, his name has been passed down for generations.

Additional Note

a) Many Ao villages have called ‘Aba' which means father to the Chungtia village as they are known to be the most fearless warriors during the headhunting times. Many Ao villages have sought help from Chungtia warriors and they have extended their help in times of their help. So Meüvtiba is also one of the many strong warriors that emerged from Chungtia village. b) *As the song's title is not explicitly stated, the first line of the song is conventionally used as its title.

Native Speaker's Additional Contextual Information

Chungtia i yim semra nü sashi tai Chungtia village thirty praise Oh Meüvtiba baja baso yimko Oh Meüvtiba in village Ningjang bening rata metem Sky thunder come like Nanochanger jongteptsümino Young adult fight (wants to fight like the old times)