Skip to content Skip to navigation

Delegation from Croatia Showcases Kumpanjija Sword Dance at NEHU

By AT News Shillong |

Shillong: A 16-member delegation from the Knight's Association "Kumpanjija" in Blato, Croatia, visited the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) on Monday, marking a significant cultural exchange initiative. The delegation's objective was to exchange knowledge and ideas with the faculty and students at NEHU, promoting awareness of the folklore festivals and cultural heritage of Blato, the island of Korčula, and the Republic of Croatia.

The event took place at the U KIANG NONGBAH-NEHU Old Guest House Auditorium Hall at 11:00 AM. It was organized on the auspicious day of Navaratra, a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil through fasting, meditation, and prayers. The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and ICSSR-NER, NEHU, jointly took the initiative.

Prof. PS Shukla, the Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, presided over the program and congratulated the foreign delegates for showcasing their artistic marvel, the Kumpanjija sword dance. This traditional ritual dance embodies the warrior spirit of the people who defended the island against invaders from the medieval and modern eras. The sword in the dance represents strength, courage, power, protection, authority, and the piercing force of the mind, symbolizing chivalry and knighthood.

Earlier in the day, Prof. B. Panda, Honorary Director of ICSSR-NER, and Shri. N. Munish Singh, Zonal Director of ICCR, North-East, delivered welcome and introductory speeches.

Mr. Nicola, the Leader of Knight's Association Kumpanjija-Blato from Croatia, expressed his pleasure at NEHU's hospitality and extended an open invitation for NEHU faculties and students to visit Croatia in the future. He shared his extensive knowledge of the Korčula Island Statute, the historical basis for the Kumpanjija sword dance, which dates back to 1214. He explained that Kumpanjija was originally an army that continued into the 19th century before becoming a part of folklore. The Sword Society, founded in 1927 by statute, preserves the chronicles of this medieval army.

The Vice-Chancellor of NEHU and Chairman of the North-East Centre of the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research emphasized the idea of a global family, quoting the G20's slogan, "One Earth, One Family, One Future." He stressed the importance of harmony and urged students to look beyond geographical and cultural differences. He also highlighted two historic weapon dances, "Sawlakin" from Mizoram and "Shad Sukmynsiem" in Meghalaya, that are integral to the northeastern Indian culture.

The highlight of the event was the ceremonial sword dance, known as Kumpanjija, performed by the Croatian representatives from Blato. The performance showcased the soldierly spirit of those who defended the island from invaders. The music accompanying the wordless dance consisted of a drum and piper, with participants following their captain's commands through their movements. A large audience of academic staff and students gathered to witness this historic performance.

Professor Shukla encouraged the NEHU community to take a more significant role in advocating for the cultural goals of the northeastern tribes on a global scale. The visit of the Croatian delegation not only facilitated cultural exchange but also strengthened the bonds of understanding and cooperation between the two nations.

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Girls duo win Daring Debates

12 Dec 2015 - 12:39am | AT News
After receiving an overwhelming response and thought-provoking views from the students of Kolkata and Goa, the third leg of Daring Debates took place in Guwahati on December 11, 2015 in Guwahati...

EC raid at hotel with BK Handique

29 Mar 2014 - 9:55pm | AT News
The Election Commission seems to have stepped up efforts to enforce model code of conduction for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Flying squads on Saturday suddenly conducted a raid at a hotel in...

I stand by and applaud Lal Thanhawla’s remarks

29 Jun 2009 - 3:49am | DavidMThangliana
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla’s remarks in Singapore about his racism experience even in his own country has certainly caused a commotion in India with the media taking a more than a...

Bike snatching poses threat before polls

8 Apr 2009 - 9:55am | Jayanta Kumar Das
Bikers of Kalaigaon have had tough time as more than ten bikes of various marks have either been stolen or snatched away by miscreants during last 30 days alone.It has been reported that armed...

Other Contents by Author

HNLC cadre surrenders

One senior HNLC cadre of 2000 batch Edmund Nongsiej @ Mot, Age 35 yrs, S/o (L) Peter Finland Lyngdoh & Jubida Nongsiej of Mawlai Wahumkhrah, Nongpdeng, Shillong surrendered before the Superintendent of Police (DSB), East Khasi Hills, Shillong on Monday. He surrendered without arms.

Moderate turn out in GHADC polls

Garo Hills Autonomous District Council polling is over with moderate turn out in Meghayala on Monday. Now the eyes are fixed on October 15 when the results would be available by the afternoon.The polling which began from 7 in the morning covered 5 Garo populated districts in the north eastern state to decide on the fate of 162 candidates for 29 seats. The polling began on a dull in many places because of a bandh. But towards the afternoon voters in large number made long queues in front of the booths.   

NE Delhi’s top priority: Kohli

Amid an aroused controversy over special status category for the north east, a central BJP leader claimed to have given thrust on the entire region. He is none other Nilon S Kohli who in Shillong told media people on Thursday that PMO has been directly handling the affairs of the region since it came to power. “Our ministers have been frequently visiting the north eastern region to monitor the process of development,” said Kohli who is on a visit to Meghalaya to campaign for the GHADC polls slated for Sunday.       He slammed the Meghalaya government for failing to live up to the expectation saying that the Mukul Sangma government has failed to implement central...

M’laya HC hears PIL on dual post

The Meghalaya High Court is hearing a PIL on dual post on Friday. A division bench of the court comprising Justice TNK Singh and Justice SR Sen is set to hear the PIL in the morning session. Advocates N. Syngkon, RN Marbaniang, I. Nongkynrih are representing petitioner Agnes Kharshiing, who moved the court last year. Altogether 18 lawyers are appearing on behalf of the state government, KHADC and JHADC apart from including Advocate General K.S. Kynjing, senior government advocate N.D. Chullai, senior counsel H.S. Thangkhiew, senior counsel S. Nongbri (for KHADC), senior advocate V.G.K. Kynta (for the seven MDCs except Metbah Lyngdoh) and senior advocate G.S. Massar. The Court is...

2 killed: Operation against GNLA

Security forces are fanning in the nook and corner of Williamnagar area in search of the GNLA militants who killed two policemen unleashing reign of terror on Thursday. At least 5 Garo militants are believed to have been involved in the gory incident at Kusumkolgre where the militants shot dead Helpingstone Nongskheh, Kundan Dalu who were riding on a two wheeler on their way t Bolkingre camp. The cops died near the hanging bridge at Kusumkolgre.

Trouble for MUDA officers

Trouble brews for a section of officers in the Meghalaya urban development after the Meghalaya High asked CBI to register cases against them for allowing the construction of high rise buildings in Shillong.  A division bench of the Meghalaya High Court comprising Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice SR Sen on Monday directed CBI to institute probe against the officer who cleared permissions for construction of high rise buildings violating the G+3 building by-laws.The court in its order asked the authority to demolish the illegal construction within 15 days with the help of para-military forces.

New Manipur guv

Meghalaya governor V Shanmuganathan is given the additional charge of Manipur until further order by the President of India.

NE merging with north: Rijiju

Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said that days are not far when the north Indians will merge with the north easterners.  In his speech at the Arunachal Pradesh Tribe Festival in Shillong recently, he called the region a mainstream saying that the north east is no less protesting and safeguarding the nation.According to the minister, the Centre is contemplating a set of stringent laws to stop the incidents racial discrimination  which has come down drastically.

Top GNLA militant killed in M'laya

Amid an escalating counter insurgency offensive,   Meghalaya police claimed to have killed a top GNLA at an encounter in Meghalaya on Sunday.  The gun battle took place at Patalgre village near Williamnagar in East Garo Hills at around 11:20 in the morning in between Patalgre and Dorengkigre village. According to superintendent of police, East Garo Hills, “there was a huge exchange of firing where the militant died on the spot. Police recovered an AK-56 from the encounter spot.”The slain militant was brought to Williamnagar at 2 in the afternoon.

IB inspector killed in Garo Hills

Suspected militants are believed to have killed an intelligence officer in Meghalaya sending sensation across the north eastern region on Friday. The needle of suspicion points towards ASAC who killed the newly recruited inspector a day after he was kidnapped along with his associate. His body was found in South Garo hills in the evening while his associate is still remaining clueless.