The post-harvest and premier festival of the Lotha Naga tribe was celebrated in the state capital Kohima at Kisama Heritage Village today.
The two-day festival started on 6 November in Kohima at the State Cultural Hall while the main event was celebrated on 7 November. The celebrations were marked by traditional dances, ethnic games and various other cultural programmes.
Special guest Khyomo Lotha, ex member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, stated that the Lotha community must thank their forefathers who initiated celebrating the festival and protected and preserved the tradition of the Lothas.
Traditional fire making.
He said the post-harvest festival Tokhu Emong teaches about work culture and celebrates the bountiful harvest. It is also a time for forgiveness, love and oneness. In this regard, he appealed the churches under Wokha district to forgive in the spirit of oneness.
Lotha also urged the people to take part in the clean election campaign and not allow the ensuing the state general elections to corrupt society, adding that the spirit of Tokhu Emong should not just be a one-time celebration but continue to live on.
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Guest of honour Wonthungo Tsopoe, director of school education, thanked the Lotha Hoho Kohima for bringing Lothas together through the organisation of the festival.
He asserted that Lothas must know their root so that the future generations would understand the culture and traditions of the tribe.
Noting that all educational institutions within and outside the state organises cultural events, Tsopoe said institutions should advise children not to misuse their attire but instead protect, promote and preserve their culture and traditions.
During the event, a welcome song was presented by Lotha Eloe Ekhüng while the dedicatory prayer was given by Rev Fr Mhabemo Matthew, parish priest of St Francis de Sales church Kohima.
Folk songs, modern songs, victory songs and a demonstration of traditional fire making also marked the occasion.
An indigenous game of tug of war was also played in which New Secretariat colony won against Agri-Forest colony.
The literal translation of ‘Tokhu’ means taking food and drinks, and ‘Emong’ means to put a stop. Thus, the Tokhu Emong festival means to halt after the hard-work of the harvest season.
Compared to the celebrations of the olden days, a far more toned-down form of celebration is observed in the present times. Before, the festival used to be a 10-day long event but now, the main festivities are celebrated only on 7 November. People in the earlier days were not allowed to move in or out of the village during the festival but this custom is no longer followed; instead, the festival has become an opportunity for people to explore Lotha culture and heritage.
