Lothas

The Lotha Nagas, also known as Kyong, are a major Naga ethnic group native to Wokha District in the Indian state of Nagaland.

Origins

Scholars have presented several theories about the migration of the Lothas and the other Naga tribes, based on vocal explanations passed on from one generation to another.

Migration from eastern China

According to this theory mentioned by Hokishe Sema, the Lothas started moving out from the Eastern part of China, passing through Malaysia, Indonesia and Burma en route. After many long years of movement, they reached a place called '' Khezakhenoma'' located between Manipur and Chakhesang (the present-day Phek), where they settled for a short period of time. From ''Khezakhenoma'' they moved towards the present day settlement of the Lothas i.e. ''Wokha'' where they finally settled.

Migration from Manchuria

This theory, mentioned by T. Phillips, says that the Lothas migrated from Manchuria, passing through the foothills of the Himalayas and reached ''Manipur'' via ''Burma''. From ''Manipur'', they moved out and settled at the present day place.

Migration from Lenka

There are multiple versions of this theory:

* The Lothas ancestors lived in a place called ''Lenka'', situated east of the ''Naga'' territory (modern ''Nagaland''). During the course of migration the Lothas split into two groups. The first group, after reaching the Brahmaputra Valley, settled there while the second group went towards the mountainous region of the present day ''Nagaland''.
* The Lothas, Sangtams, Rengmas and the Sumis have a common ancestor and had dwelled mutually as one in their past. But at some stage in their course of migration from ''Lenka'', the ''Sangtams'' decided to go separate ways from a place called Mao.
* The Lothas, along with the other ''Naga'' tribes, reached the present-day Kohima and settled at a place called Lezama. This is the place where the ''Semas'' parted with the other ''Naga'' ethnic groups and the ''Lothas'' with the ''Rengmas'' settled at a hill called ''Themoketsa'' (the Lothas called this place ''Honoyonton''). Here the ''Rengmas'' parted ways from the Lothas. One group of Lothas went towards '' Doyang'', passing through villages like ''Shaki'' and ''Phiro''. The other group moved towards the hilly region of the present ''Wokha'' and settled at a place called ''Longchum'' near the ''Niroyo village''.

Local traditions mention that the ''Rengmas'' and the Lothas were once part of a single ethnic groups. There are also oral records of a mighty struggle between the combined ''Rengma'' villages, and the Lotha village of ''Phiro''.

Distribution

Towns and villages under Wokha District

*Yikhüm, Englan, Lakhüti, Pangti, Tsüngiki, Wokha, Riphyim Old, Riphyim New, Mekokla, Akük New, Akük Old, Aitepyong Town, Chankayan, Soku, Baghty, Baghty Town, Upper Baghty, Bhandari Town, Yimpang, Alikhüm, Longchüm, Yimparasa, Bhandari village, Yimza, Mongphio, Lishyüo, Yanmhon Old, Rüchan village, Koro, Pangtong, Serika A, Yanmhon New, Longayim, Lio Wokha Old, Seed Farm, Lisayan, Liphi, Mekirang, Suphayan, Serika B, Lio Wokha New, Merapani, Hayiyan, Lio Longidang, Changpang, Akahaqua, Tssori Old, Tssori New, Lichuyan, Mithehe, Changpang Hq, Longtsiri Village, Mungya, Nungying, Seluku, Koio, Chükitong Town, Longtsüng, Morakjo, Lotsü, Pyangsa, Moilan, Pyotchü, Sheru Echuk, Ralan Hq, Ralan Old, Ralan New, Woruku, Chandalashung Old, Chandalashung New, Chandalashung B, Yampha, Liphayan, Shoshan, S. Wochan, Yanlum, Tchutsaphen, Sanis, Sanis Town B (Jn), Sanis Town A, Sunglup, Yonchücho, Meshangpen, Tsopo, Chudi, Okotso, Süngro Town, Aree Old, Aree New, Longsa, Hümtso, Elümyo, Changsu Old, Changsu New, Niroyo Wokha, Longsachung, Okheyan Wokha, Yanthamo, Longla, Wokha, Yimkha Wokha, N Longidang, Pongidong, Vankhosung (Mission Compound), Nyiro Compound, Phiro, Shaki, Sankitong, Hanku, N. Longchum, Yankeli, Yanthung, Wozhüro EAC HQ.h

Other parts of Nagaland

Beyond Wokha District, a large population of Lothas are permanently settled in Kohima, Chümoukedima, Dimapur and Medziphema.

Culture

Wokha District is the traditional home of the Lotha Nagas. The Lothas are renowned for their colorful dances and folk songs. The male members wear shawls indicating their social status. The prestigious social shawl for women is '' Opvüram'' and '' Longpensü'' for men.

Like many Nagas, the Lothas practiced headhunting in the older days. After the arrival of Christianity, they gave up this practice. Though the majority of the Lothas are Baptist, there exist a moderate amount of other forms of Christianity like the Catholics. Catholics are concentrated more in Wokha than in other parts of Nagaland.

Festivals

Tokhü Emong

''Tokhü Emong'' is celebrated on 7 November.
The ''Tokhü Emong'' is the harvest festival of the Lotha Nagas. It is celebrated in the 1st month of November every year and it stretches over to 9 days. Earlier, no particular date was fixed. However, in order to carve unity and uniformity among the ranges, Wokha elders decided to celebrate it on a fixed date. Following this ''Tokhü Emong'' is celebrated on 7 November, every year.

Notable people

* Zuboni Hümtsoe (1990–2017), Businessperson
* Mmhonlümo Kikon, Politician
* Silas Kikon (1956–2016), Singer
* James Kithan, Sportsperson
* Abraham Lotha, Anthropologist
* T. M. Lotha, Present Home and Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland
* Khodao Yanthan (1923–2010), Naga Nationalist Leader

Gallery

File: Lotha Naga girl.jpg, A Lotha Naga girl in her traditional attire

References

External links

Lothas at Ethnologue website

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Naga people
Christian communities of India
People from Wokha district