The celebration of ‘Tokhü Emong’, the premier festival of the Lotha community began with the inauguration of Tokhu Emong cum Mini Hornbill stalls at public ground, Wokha on November 4.
The stalls were inaugurated by MLA of 38 Wokha A/C, Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe. Humtsoe extended Tokhu greetings and encouraged everyone to embrace the true meaning and spirit of the festival.
He highlighted the Lotha community’s rich heritage and significant contributions to Naga history and recalled the pioneering role played by the Lothas in the Naga History with the first tribal council in 1923, advocating early for a Naga political solution, and initiating the 1951 plebiscite from the Lotha region.
He also pointed out that the 16-Point Agreement, a landmark event in Naga history, was resolved in Wokha by the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1960.
Humtsoe further remarked on the presence of major national political parties such as the BJP, Congress, LJP, and TMC in Wokha, mentioning that the Lothas have often been at the forefront of significant political and social developments.
He reminded the community of the many prominent Naga organizations formed in Wokha, such as the Naga Peace Mission, Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, and the Central Naga Tribal Council.
However, he lamented that Lothas at present were lagging behind and called for unity and cooperation. He also recalled the Wokha was once called “the land of plenty” due to the region’s rich natural resources and abundance of fruits and vegetables.
However, he expressed concern that, despite these advantages, the community’s economic and social has been declined over the past 60 years, particularly in areas of religion and community unity. He therefore urged the Lothas to revive their strength and stand firm in their contributions to the Naga society.
Chairman of Lotha Hoho, Er. Mhondamo Ovung, also spoke on the significance of Tokhu Emong, emphasizing that the festival embodies reconciliation, forgiveness, and friendship.
He expressed gratitude for the year’s bountiful harvest and urged attendees to honor the true spirit of the festival, rather than celebrating it merely out of tradition. Ovung addressed a common misnaming of the festival, urging everyone to refer to it as “Tokhu Emong” not “Lotha Tokhu”.
The program was chaired by joint secretary Lotha Hoho, Er. Limhathung Odyuo. The event began with an invocation by pastor of WTBC, Rev. Abemo Jungio while president of Lotha Youth Hoho, Limhathung N. Yanthan, addressed the rules and conduct for the stalls, followed by the official inauguration of the stalls.