Kohima Village Council
Different versions from dubious sources can be found on the origin and meaning of the words Kewhi and Kewhira on digital platforms. In this context, the need was felt to set the record straight. It is with this sole intention that Kohima Village Council takes this initiative to share the precise meaning and origin of the words Kewhi and Kewhira.
Kohima, the capital city of the state of Nagaland, is at an altitude of about 1444 metres above sea level, located in the ancestral land of Kohima village (Kewhira). It is on a sloping hill with beautiful landscape of vibrant semi-evergreen rain forest with rich flora and fauna. The majestic Japfü peak (the second highest-peak in Nagaland) watches Kohima from the south behind the shoulders of the Puoliebadze range.
As the story goes, people from different places and directions came in search of a place to settle down and formed a homogenous group that necessitated the establishment of a village. They named it Kewhira which is derived from the Tenyidie word kephfükewhi which means to meet and assemble together and ra means village with its area jurisdiction. The people of Kewhira are called Kewhimia (mia means people) who are the indigenous inhabitants and hereditarily owned the land of Kewhira. Kohima village is believed to be more than 700 (seven hundred) years old which is said to be the second largest village in Asia. No wonder, other Naga tribes call it ‘bara basti’ (big village).
In the later part of the 19th Century, in the year 1878, the British shifted their administrative headquarters from Samaguting (Chümoukedima) to Kewhira. The British enquired the name of the place, to which, the indigenous inhabitants gave the name Kewhira. However, the British ‘mispronounced it as Kohima. Though it was a misnomer, it officially came to be known as Kohima instead of Kewhira. However, the people of Angami tribe call Kohima as Kewhira and its people as Kewhimia till today.
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Kewhimia consists of 4 (four) Thinuos (Khels) – 1. Lhisemia (L-Khel), 2. Tsutuonuomia (T- Khel), 3. Dapfhütsumia (D-Khel), and 4. Pfuchatsumia (P-Khel). There are 38 recognized Chienuos (Clans) of the 4 Khels of Kewhimia. The Chienuos (Clans) are
L-Khel – 1. Kesiezie, 2. Liezietsu, 3. Sorhie, 4. Chielie, 5. Yaotsu, 6. Noudi, 7, Kerhüo, 8. Miachieo, 9. Khruomo, 10, Linyü, 11. Suokhrie, 12. Kelio, 13. Ciesotsu, 14. Kratsü, 15. Dzüvichü, 16. Yhome. 17. Mepfuo, 18. Vizo., 19. Tseikha,
T-Khel 1. Solo, 2. Belho, 3. Sekhose, 4. Phewhuo, 5. Whuorie, 6. Suohu, 7. Zatsu.
D-Khel 1. Kire, 2. Khezhie, 3. Keretsü, 4. Rhie-o (Kuotsu, Pienyü, Sachü, Yiese).
P-Khel 1. Pienyü, 2. Mechülho, 3. Rutsa, 4. Mere, 5. Sote, 6. Rame, 7. Keyho, 8. Theünuo.
The most important traditional festival of the Kewhimia is Sekrenyi, a festival of purification of men-folk celebrated annually between the end of February and the beginning of March. The current population of Kewhimia is estimated to be around 21,600 with a total household of about 5,500.
We hope that the above information helps create a better understanding on the origin and meaning of Kewhi and Kewhira. We urge the general public to use this as a primary source on the topic and avoid the spread of unsubstantiated versions or interpretations that could at times cause unnecessary controversy, undesired and unintended consequences.
Helievio Solo, Chairman KVC
Thejao Sekhose, Press and Media Secretary KVC
