The Lotha Language Festival 2024 was held today at the Don Bosco Youth Resource Center, Wokha.

The Festival was graced by Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Agriculture as the Special Guest of Honour.

With the objective to build awareness on the significance of the Lotha Languages, the Festival has been organised by the Lotha Academy and Lotha Naga Cultural Resource Center in collaboration with Mount Tiyi College.

Advisor Mhathung Yanthan in his speech appreciated the Lotha Academy for their efforts in advancing the Lotha language. Focusing on the significance of preserving cultural heritage, Yanthan highlighted its role in defining one’s identity and community solidarity.  While considering the Lotha’s cultural wealth as vast, Yanthan also stressed on its challenges and encouraged the gathering to prioritize its conservation.

He also rued over the gradual disappearance of traditional attire which was once proudly donned by ancestors. In this regard, the Advisor highlighted the need for research and rediscovery of the traditional attires. Investing in quality traditional attire can yield promising business opportunities, viewed Yanthan.

The Advisor also expressed concerns on the declining use of one’s mother tongue among the current generation and urged for efforts to preserve and promote the Lotha language, advocating for more vernacular literature and encouraging students to study the Lotha dialect academically. The importance of acknowledging linguistic roots and ancestral legacies as crucial aspects of cultural preservation was also stressed.

A special skit on the topic “Benefit of Speaking Lotha Language” was presented by the students of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Wokha. While the narration of Lotha Folktale on Lotha Headhunting or War was presented by Elder Citizen Bijamo Erui and and the discourse of Lotha Marriage by was delivered by Yitsomo Murry. Poetry recitation was delivered by Chopathung Humtsoe.

The Festival also felicitated the recipients of the Governors Award in MIL (Lotha) starting 2022 to 2024.

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In the second  session, competitions on Poetry recitation and exposition, Spelling Bee and Folksong were held. Dr. Liyingbeni R. Kithan presented a Folklore Narative.

Results

Spelling Bee

Class 1-4

1^st Position: Wonjano M Tungoe (Perennial School, Wokha)

2^nd Position: Mmhahungi Ezung (Fernbrook School, Wokha)

3^rd Position: Mungyanti M Odyuo (DBHSS, Wokha)

Class 5-8

1^st Position: Ekonbeni W Kikon (Fernbrook School, Wokha)

2^nd Position: Imkongnukshi Ozukum (Isaiah Ability Higher Secondary School, Wokha)

3^rd Position: Shancho Kithan (Perennial School, Wokha)

Poem Recitation & Exposition

Class 11-12

1^st Position: Mhabeni Z. Ngullie (Isaiah Ability Higher Secondary School)

2^nd Position: Zarenbeni W Kikon (DBHSS, Wokha)

3^rd Position: Meribeni Y Kikon (GHSS, Wokha

Folksong

1^st Position: DBHSS, Wokha

2^nd Position: St.Peter’s School, Longsa

3^rd Position: Mt. Tiyi College, Wokha