The Tokhu Emong Festival, a vibrant post-harvest celebration by the Lotha Nagas was celebrated on 7 November 2024, at State Stadium, Dimapur.

MLA and Advisor for the Department of Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan graced the occasion as the special guest. Delivering his speech the Advisor highlighted the festival’s deep-rooted values of gratitude, forgiveness, and unity. Conveying Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio’s greetings to the Lotha community, Yanthan expressed thanks for the auspicious day and emphasized the importance of preserving the Lotha traditions, culture, and language. He urged the Lotha people to value their traditional attire and ornaments and to promote the use of the Lotha dialect to sustain cultural identity.

Furthermore, he called for fostering unity in Dimapur’s diverse society by actively participating in gatherings, festivals, and communal events, as these play a significant role in building bonds across communities. Yanthan underscored the need for each individual to serve as a good ambassador of the community, promoting harmony, love, and unity with people from all walks of life.

The event’s guest of honour, Commissioner and Secretary, K. Libanthung Lotha, IAS delivered the Tokhu Honour Greetings, speaking on the core values of forgiveness and reconciliation embedded in the festival. He encouraged the attendees to embody the Lotha spirit with genuine hearts ready to stand up for positive growth within the community. He called on individuals to take responsibility for fostering a society that promotes the well-being of all, reinforcing that every community member has a role in ensuring the continued prosperity and unity of the Lotha community.

C.M. Lotha, Convener of the Tokhu Emong Committee, chaired the event, while invocation was pronounced by Rev. Thebemo Yanthan, Senior Pastor of Lotha A.G. Church, Dimapur. This was followed by welcome address delivered by Thüngchanthüng Murry, Chairman of the Dimapur Lotha Hoho (DLH). A series of cultural performances provided a glimpse into the vibrant traditions of the Lotha Nagas. Highlights included a folk song performed by Dimapur Tsüngiki Ekhüng and a traditional Tokhu pounding song by Kyong Colony, Dimapur. Eyilobeni Kikon sang modern song.

P. Yanpemo Hümtsoe, Vice Chairman of DLH expressed gratitude to all attendees in his vote of thanks, and Rev. Fr. Philip Yanpvüthüng Hümtsoe, Principal of Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, offered a benediction and blessed the Tokhu feast.