Three-day Tokhu Emong Mini Hornbill Festival culminates

The three-day Tokhu Emong-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival culminated at Local Ground Wokha on November 7 with Advisor, Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan as the special guest.

Addressing the gathering, Yanthan said, Nagas were blessed with rich cultural heritage and to promote the rich heritage, the Government of Nagaland Government has declared the State as the Land Of Festival and has been conducting Mini Hornbill festivals coinciding with other tribal festivals.

As per a DIPR report, Yanthan also called for preservation of Nagas’ cultural heritage and said: ‘Let the spirit of friendship and brotherhood prevails among us, as we prepare to observe and celebrate the bountiful harvest. Let’s all rejuvenate and re-dedicate our lives for brighter future.’

He further urged for emulating the good deeds and examples set by the forefathers and utilises the good resources to become self sustainable and self-dependent.

Tokhu Emong is the biggest festival of the Lothas, observed at the end of the agriculture year following the harvest. With ‘granaries full,’ the people take respite from the toils and settle down to enjoy the fruits of the hard labour with leisure, the report said. 

It is also a time for thanksgiving, reconciliation, sharing and accommodating each other, whereby past rancours are forgiven, friendship are renewed, new ties are established and bonds of close intimacy are formed, it added. 

The final day of the Tokhu Emong is called Loroe Tokhu meaning festival of damsels, and it also signifies that boys and girls engage during the year are now free to get married.

The function was chaired by Vice Chairman, Lotha Hoho, Mhonchumo Lotha while Rev LK Tsanglao Pastor Longsa Baptist Church Ekhumkho offered prayer of blessing for the Lothas in particular and the Nagas in general.

Other highlights of the final day included folk dances by Rengma cultural troupe from Tesophenyu Village and N Longidang cultural troupe.
(MExN)