CM Rio extends greetings to Chang community on Naknyulüm
Synopsis
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio greeted the Chang community on Naknyulüm, an annual festival marking the triumph of good over evil, celebrated by the Chang tribe of Tuensang and Mon districts. Rio's message called for unity, good health, and goodwill.
Key Takeaways
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended greetings to the Chang community on 30 July 2026 .
Naknyulüm is an annual Chang tribal festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
The Chang tribe is primarily based in Tuensang and Mon districts of Nagaland.
Rio has led Nagaland under the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party since 2018 .
Issuing public greetings for tribal festivals is an established practice among Nagaland chief ministers to honour the state's ethnic diversity.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio marked the occasion of Naknyulüm on Thursday, 30 July 2026, extending warm greetings to the Chang community and invoking the festival's central spirit of light triumphing over darkness.
What Naknyulüm means to the Chang people
Naknyulüm is an annual festival observed by the Chang tribe, one of the Naga communities primarily settled in the Tuensang and Mon districts of Nagaland. Celebrated in July or August, it marks the triumph of good over evil — a theme woven into the cultural and spiritual identity of the community across generations. Rio's message called on the festival to 'usher in good health, unity, and goodwill for all.'Rio and the tradition of honouring Nagaland's tribal mosaic
Nagaland is home to more than a dozen major Naga tribes, each with distinct festivals, languages, and customs. Chief ministers of the state have long issued public greetings for these occasions as a visible gesture of inclusion — acknowledging that governance in a tribal state requires active recognition of ethnic diversity. Rio, who has led the state since 2018 under the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, has maintained this tradition consistently, using platforms including social media to reach communities across remote districts.Point of View
Making these public acknowledgements part of a broader governance strategy. As Nagaland navigates ongoing peace talks and development priorities in frontier districts, cultural inclusion remains a quiet but consistent instrument of statecraft.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naknyulüm festival?
Naknyulüm is an annual festival of the Chang Naga tribe, observed in July or August, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is a significant cultural and spiritual occasion for the Chang community of Nagaland.
Which tribe celebrates Naknyulüm?
The Chang tribe, one of the Naga communities primarily settled in the Tuensang and Mon districts of Nagaland, celebrates Naknyulüm.
What did Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio say on Naknyulüm 2026?
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended warm greetings to the Chang community, expressing hope that the festival would usher in good health, unity, and goodwill for all.
Why do Nagaland chief ministers greet tribal festivals?
Nagaland is home to more than a dozen major Naga tribes with distinct cultures and festivals. Chief ministers publicly acknowledge these occasions to promote inter-community harmony and reflect the state's ethnic diversity.
