The Lotha Naga community celebrated Tokhu Emong, the premier post-harvest festival of the Lotha tribe with great fervour and gaiety in Dimapur, Wokha and Karbi Anglong on Tuesday.
Wokha
Wokha: Lotha Hoho celebrated Tokhu Emong-cum-Mini Hornbill celebration at Wokha local ground with minister for PWD, R&B, G. Kaito Aye, as the special guest.
Speaking at the event, Aye congratulated the Lotha community in celebrating the festival of Tokhü Emong signifying the bountiful harvest season. He emphasized on the importance of unity and leaving behind past grievances to strengthen the Naga community. The minister noted that the celebration of Tokhü Emong could also be seen as a day dedicated to farmers, urging the community and farmers to prioritize skill development and efficient production methods. He emphasized on the role of farming and encouraged the audience to become original organic farmers.
Minister Aye stressed that Nagas share common interests and called for unity through brotherhood for the sake of the younger generation. He highlighted the presence of a significant number of officers within the Lotha community and urged them to take a leadership role in supporting the less privileged members of the community. He spoke on the state government initiatives, such as the Nagaland Foothill Road, which would soon improve transportation in the region. He also called upon the community to cooperate with the government and be patient while witnessing various development activities.
Minister Aye acknowledged a representation submitted by the Lotha Hoho regarding the proposed Wokha-Bokajan road construction connecting Dimapur hub, noting that the Nagaland Governor had shown a keen interest in this project during his visit to Wokha district. Through the Tokhü Emong celebration, he urged the community to be practical in all aspects and uphold unity.
The minister was accompanied by advisor to the chief minister, Dr. Chumben Murry.
Earlier, Er. Mhondamo Ovung chairman Lotha Hoho delivered a welcome speech, while Wopemo Tsopoe delivered Tokü Emong celebration history and its significance.
Later in the evening, the culmination of Tokhü Emong programme was graced by ADC Wokha, K. Furhesie, witnessing Lotha Naga Musical Night. Meanwhile, Tokhu Emong celebration at Wokha village was held with 38th AC, Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, MLA, as the special guest. Humtsoe expressed his gratitude for the large crowd turnout and urged to them maintain the same spirit of unity even in the days to come. Humtsoe also urged the younger generation to learn the true meaning of Tokhu by keeping records and documenting it with the help of their elders. He emphasised on the various interpretations and significance of Tokhu, highlighting its core values of forgiveness, unity, and inclusiveness.
Humtso village: Humtso village, under Wokha district, celebrated Tokhü Emong Festival at the village football ground with district planning officer, Wokha, Orenbomo Humtsoe, as the special guest.
In his address, the special guest extended emphasized that Humtso village holds a rich history and tradition, signifying its heritage as a village of warriors. He underscored the importance of determination and bravery within the community.
He highlighted the significance of Tokhü Emong, describing it as a festival of forgiveness, love, and reconciliation. He challenged the gathering to embrace this festival as an opportunity for fostering peace and unity among the villagers, urging them to set a positive example for others.
The program was chaired by Yilobemo Humtsoe, and the welcome address by chairman, Humtso Village Council, Rhanbemo Humtsoe.
The Tokhü story was narrated by Nsemo Yanthan, and a blessing prayer was offered by pastor, Humtso Baptist Church, Bikhamo Yanthan. Earlier, folk song and Tokhü song were presented by Eboe Okho and Renchumlo Humtsoe respectively.
The vote of thanks was delivered by VDB Secretary, Humtso village, N. Peter Humtsoe, and the benediction by associate pastor Humtso Baptist Church, Nzanthung Humtsoe. Short speeches were also delivered by Lumchio Humtsoe and Nkhyingo Humtsoe.
Dimapur
In Dimapur, Lotha community celebrated Tokhu Emong by organising programmes and feast in colony and village wise. Before, the celebration, Lotha Hoho Dimapur organised a programme at Lotha Hoho Ki, seeking blessing for the Lotha community with a prayer by pastor Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur, Rev. Zanao Mozhui. It was followed by Tokhu greetings by chairman Lotha Hoho Dimapur, Thungchanthung Murry, who explained the meaning and celebration of Tokhu Emong.
After, the programme, led by Lotha Hoho Dimapur and accompanied by Lotha Eloe Ekhung Dimapur, Dimapur Lotha Youth Oranization and Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union, the team visited colonies and villages in Dimapur, where the festival was organised. During the visit, chairman Lotha Hoho Dimapur extended greetings on behalf of all the Lothas residing in Dimapur.
In one of the celebrations organised by Lotha and Oriental colonies at State Stadium, Dimapur, senior citizens, Lotha colony, R. Zhumomo Lotha explained the significant of Tokhu Emong while a prayer of blessing was offered by Rev. Nchibemo Shitiri. Welcome address was delivered by convener of Lotha-Oriental Tokhu Emong committee, K. Mhachio Odyuo, invocation by deacon, Nchumbemo Jami. The programme was chaired by Merithung Ovung and vote of thanks by secretary of the programme committee, Ngango Yanthan.
The gathering was enthralled by Phyobemo Humtsoe, vocalist of Struggler Boyz Band Wokha, who belted out some of his Lotha hit songs. The programme concluded with Tokhu feast.
Meanwhile, Lotha community residing in Dimapur Town area comprising of eight colonies namely NST colony, Middle point, Churches colony, Khermahal, Lake View, Public Ground, Railway colony and Murgi Patti celebrated the festival at DDSC Golaghat road.
Various games for men, women and children were the highlights of the event. The event was also witnessed by representatives from Dimapur Lotha Hoho, Dimapur Lotha Youth Organization, Dimapur Lotha Eloe Ekhung and Dimapur Lotha Students Union.
In a short programme, invocation prayer was proposed by Er. Renben Kikon, welcome address was delivered by Orenthung Ngullie. The traditional ways of using the community attires were delivered by Pipono Ngullie, the ways to represent the identity of the community was delivered by Mungathung Odyuo.
The event also highlighted the significance of the festival. Later vote of thanks was delivered by LN Ngullie and benediction was proposed by pastor John Ovung. The event also followed festival feast.
WTMK Karbi Anglong
WTMK Karbi Anglong: The 6th Tokhü Emong celebration was organized by Wophung Taro Moilan Khel (WTMK) Karbi Anglong, Assam at premises Tokhu chairman T Yansathung Ovung.
Significance of the festival was delivered by Rhalami Ovung wherein he highlighted about how the post-harvest festival was observed in the traditional ways and how it has been carried out.
Folk song was presented by Eloe Okho, prize distribution for various games was also carried out.
Blessing prayer was offered by home evangelist, A Thungjabemo Ovung, financial report was presented by treasurer Ramongo Ovung. Later, vote of thanks was delivered by Mhathung Ovung, benediction by deacon Jonsumo Ovung and feast prayer by Nchenthung Humtsoe.
Kohima
Kohima: Lotha Ekhung New Secretariat Kohima celebrated its 14th Tokhu Emong at Multi-Purpose Hall Planning Kohima with Albert Tsanglao as the special guest.
Speaking at the celebration, Tsanglao stressed on the importance of preservation of culture and tradition. He also called upon the community to strive forward for cooperation and coexist in peace and harmony to build positive contributions to the society.
On the occasion, Mhonbemo Murry highlighted the significance of celebrating the festival and reminded the gathering to carry forward the practices of ancestors and to be truthful. The programme was chaired by Myingthungo Odyuo and welcome address by Azamo Humtsoe. The celebration was marked by cultural songs, dances and traditional attire competition for the kids.