The Governor of Nagaland, Prof Jagdish Mukhi, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended Tsokum greetings to the Khiamniungan community on Tuesday.

Held during the first week of October, Tsokum is a significant festival for the Khiamniungan community, celebrated to invoke blessings for a rich harvest and to ask for protection for the lives of family members. Traditionally, the festival marked the period from which harvest could begin and newly harvested food grains tasted.

In his message, Prof Mukhi described the festival as one that promotes unity, peace and harmony and highlighted the “wonderful practice” of people sharing produces with one another and of boys and girls taking part in traditional games and rituals of the festival.

“Tsokum provides an opportunity to understand and appreciate the beauty of the underlying ancient philosophies of the community,” wrote the governor.

He wished “good health, peace and prosperity” to the Khiamniungan community on their day of celebration.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also expressed his best wishes to the Khiamniungan community on the day of Tsokum.

“May the essence of the festival of promoting peace, unity and harmony be strengthened,” wrote Rio in a Twitter post.

Happy Tsokum to the Khiamniungan community. May the essence of the festival of promoting peace, unity and harmony be strengthened. Best wishes for the well-being of everyone. #Nagaland #LandOfFestivals pic.twitter.com/lbWeU4t3qU

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) October 4, 2022