Tokhu Emong,the post-harvest and premier festival of the Kyong (Lotha) community was celebrated through impressive programmes across Nagaland Wednesday.
Wokha: PWD (roads and bridges) minister Kaito Aye urged all Nagas to come together for an early settlement of the “Indo-Naga” political issue.
Speaking as chief guest at the function held in the local ground, Kaito told the gathering of several thousand Kyongs Nagas, that he among the celebrants, not as a minister but a Sumi Naga in a spirit of “friendship, peace and fraternity”.
Expounding on the sobriquet “Land of Plenty” for Wokha district by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Aye said, “nature, climatic conditions, and even the crops you plant; everything is in your favor. Your potentiality is such that you should be ready and prepared to feed the rest of the Nagas in the future.”
In a lighter vein, Aye said, “let us, the Sumi tribe, do the war (as chief minister coined Sumis as “warriors ) but you, the Kyongs keep on producing.Later we will buy all our essentials from you as we will be too busy in the business of war”). He also urged upon the youth to market their talents to the rest of the country and the world.
Naga Hoho president Keviletuo Kiewhuo,who was guest of honor, advised Nagas to be prepared for “any eventuality” over the protracted “Indo-Naga” political issue as the parties involved were on the “verge of breaking a political deadlock” very soon.
Earlier, Kyong Hoho chairman Yansathung Jami welcomed the gathering to the festival celebration while Wokha district senior citizen forum chairman and KH executive member Wopemo Tsopoe spoke on the significance of Tokhu Emong.
Invocation for the festival celebration was offered by Wokha town Baptist church associate pastor Rev. Nyan Lotha while Yingashumo Ezung, an elderly, invoked God’s special blessings for the Kyong tribe on the occasion. The Log Drum Band also presented a fusion English song using a traditional pipe instrument to compliment their tune.
Agriculture minister Dr Chumben Murry, parliamentary secretary for geology and mining, irrigation and flood control, and border affairs Yanthungo Patton, NIDC and Nagaland Hotels Ltd chairman Nuklutoshi, NSMDC chairman Kipili Sangtam, SP Wokha Limasunep Jamir, 41 AR Wokha commandant Col. R.C. Katoch, and a host of state level and district level dignitaries as well as public leaders and the general public took part in the festival celebration.
Dimapur: Tokhu Emong was celebrated with traditional fervour at DDSC Stadium organized by Lotha Hoho Dimapur. State chief secretary Lalthara who was the chief guest during the celebration urged the Lotha community to develop the spirit of oneness.
During his speech, the chief secretary who would be retiring from government service next month, recalled the Merapani incident in 1985, when he was the deputy commissioner of Wokha and said that he was mesmerized by the unity and cooperation showed by the Lotha community during that crucial period.
Lalthara pointed out that the Lothaa have been blessed with vast natural resources but expressed dismay that the people of the region were not utilizing the same.
On oil and natural gas exploration in the Lotha region, the chief secretary said there was no need to be in a “hurry” and that the people have to be “reasonable” while pursuing the issue. He urged the Lothas to resolve difference with regard to oil exploration. “Let us all be reasonable, the available natural resources are for all of us”, he added.
On the occasion, former minster, T.A. Ngullie and retired deputy chief engineer, NPWD Er. K.L. Merry also exhorted the gathering. Highlights of the programme included, welcome song by Youth director LBC Dimapur, “Tokhu khen” by Lumbeni Ezung and Mhabeni W. Shitiri.
In Ralan Old, the festival organized by Ralan Area Lotha Hoho comprising of 18 villages was celebrated with Kethosituo Sekhose SDO (C) and border magistrate Orimghat as the chief guest and Rev. Renbomo Humtsoe as the chief Host.
Kethosituo in his short speech urged the gathering to march forward together with unity in order to achieve what one was capable of. He asked the people of Ralan area to narrow down differences and mend broken relationships instead of depending on others.
Dr. T. Kikon, retired CMO in his exhortation said that Nagas being a casteless society have suggested for removal of backward quota in Nagaland civil services examinations, as it was creating disadvantages among various tribes especially the “forward tribes”.
Motsuthung Ezung joint secretary, horticulture, Nagaland who also spoke on behalf of landowners from outside the area exhorted the gathering to shed “laziness and develop work culture for self sustenance”. Stating that the Nagas especially the Lothas were losing their resources, he called for physical presence and permanent occupation of land.
Others who spoke on the festive occasion include Lichio Kithan, chairman Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH), Libemo Humtsoe, Rev. Yankey Patton, Dr. R.E Lotha, deputy director, horticulture, Nagaland.
The celebration also witnessed traditional (Eran) song and dance (sharu shatuk) competitions among the various villages of Ralan area. Special numbers from Thungchamo Ovung, New Ralan who sang the theme song and Mhathung Patton, Naga Idol Finalists enthralled the gathering.
Diphupar Lotha Hoho also celebrated Tokhu Emong at Agri Expo, 4th mile, Dimapur with Dr. Yisao Tsopoe, retired director veterinary and animal husbandry as the chief guest.
Kohima: Thousands of young and old Kyongs thronged NSF Solidarity Park below the Secretariat complex to celebrate the festival under the theme “reconciliation”.
Highlighting the significance of the festival, retired commissioner and secretary K.N. Ngullie said Tokhu Emong was a festival of “thanksgiving, sharing and reconciliation”. He said that it signified the end of harvest period which paved the way for reconciliation and merry making.
PHED chief engineer Mhondamo Ovung exhorted the participants to accept “truth and criticisms” for one’s own good keeping in mind the word ‘SWOT’ (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) and urged the community to introspect the strength and weaknesses of the community.
He stressed on maintenance of identity and appealed the gathering to be “a true Lotha” so as to go higher at the national and international level. Ovung also said that ignorance of one’s own mother tongue was not a “fashion but a dishonor” to the community.
St. Joseph’s College principal Fr. Abraham Lotha in his brief address urged the youths to develop professionalism and leadership skills so that they become able leaders of tomorrow.
Children from Kids for fame, 2011 Zuchobeni Tungoe and ex-secretary KLH E.M. Lotha and Cuckoo Cultural Club Kohima also presented songs and cultural items. Traditional wrestling, tug of war and various Kyong traditional attires were showcased by Kyong Naga Cultural Society during the celebration.