Kohima: The Ülikhrei Folk Group is tackling agricultural decline. Based in Chedema, the ensemble preserves oral traditions by working the land. Members started clearing jungle brush last December. They planted peas and maize across several acres. The group stays rooted in ancestral practices while keeping folk songs alive. These songs often change based on the weather. If it rains, the lyrics shift to reflect the conditions. Members sing while they toil to fight the monotony of hard labor.
Rüdosenuo Flory says: "We are learning from our parents and elders which crop to plant in which season or the appropriate song to sing for each agricultural work." Flory and her colleague Neilavonuo Suokhrie hope their efforts will inspire the next generation to value Naga culture. The group recently launched a campaign to revive abandoned fields. Director Dr. Keneilhoulie Medom led members on July 17 to transplant paddy in terrace fields along the Dzü river. The land sat empty for 15 years.
Modern technology is also arriving in the village. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, led by District Agriculture Officer Kekhrieletuo Yhome, demonstrated a paddy transplanter machine during the event. Medom remains optimistic about the future of the region. "The only way to start is by encouraging youngsters," he noted. The group now turns its attention to upcoming stages. They plan to perform at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai this October. They are also preparing for the Hornbill Festival opening in 2026.
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