NONGPOH: As the world eagerly awaits the commencement of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in June, football lovers and people in general in the State’s Ri Bhoi district are gearing up for another fiesta which has been dubbed as the ‘Niang World Cup’ by football enthusiasts.
The name has been derived from Niangtaser which is an insect that peculiarly emerges every four years usually a month ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The 2nd Niangtaser Festival will commence on April 20. The festival is being organized by the Saiden Socio Cultural Sports Club (SSCSC) in collaboration with the Deputy Coommissioner’s office, Ri Bhoi District. “The Niangtaser is an insect species of Chremistica genus of the Cicada family that emerges from the ground every four years. It has two white markings on either side of the abdomen,” a SSCSC member elaborated.
In a press conference held in Saiden on Monday, chairman of the Niangtaser Festival Committee, GH Kharshanlor said the Niangtaser Festival will kick off at Iewsier near Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary.
He also informed that, the main focus of the festival is to make people aware of the importance of preservation of the environment, forest and animals. Likewise the theme of the festival is ‘Save Environment for more Niangtaser’.
The festival will also feature awareness and cultural programmes, folk songs and dance competition, food festival etc.
