The three-day Tokhü Emong-&-Mini Hornbill Festival got underway on November 5, inaugurated by Dr. Chumben Murry, MLA, as the special guest, at Wokha local ground.
According to a DIPR report, Dr. Murry said that in order to see the actual essence of the festival, people needed to celebrate it in earnest by re-living their culture and traditions and imbibing the richness in songs and dances. He said that this should be done in the spirit of friendship, forgiveness and thanksgiving.
He also said that Wokha district, considered the “Land of plenty”, has been blessed with so many resources, and he urged the people to make proper use of the available resources. Dr. Chumben added that “we have the potential to produce the maximum” which will automatically raise the economic standard of the district in particular and state in general.
Dr. Chumben also maintained that fusion songs and dances needed to be encouraged while also retaining the distinct Naga culture and traditions. He further stated that, Nagas were at the most crucial juncture politically and the Lotha Hoho should spearhead a Lotha movement because the desire for a settlement must become a mass movement.
DC, Wokha Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon in a welcome address, said that the government of Nagaland had decided to celebrate the tribal festival in the form of Tokhü Emong-&-Mini Hornbill to promote the culture of the state as well as the tourism industry. The message of Tokhü Emong seems more relevant than ever because it teaches us to give thanks to the Almighty for the success which He grants us for the hard work we have put in, he added. He also said that the essential message of forgive and forget must shine through extinguishing all negative feelings for each other.
Later indigenous game competitions like spear throw, tug of war, yodelling, top spinning, basket weaving and catapult shooting were also held. A Tokhü Beat contest had also been planned for the evening, with PHED, chief engineer, Er. Ghushito Sema as the special guest.