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Lotha Naga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lotha Naga
Total population
173,111[1](2011 census)
Languages
Lotha language
(Sino–Tibetan)
Religion
Christianity(chieflyBaptist)
Related ethnic groups
otherNaga Ethnic Groups

TheLothas,also known asKyongsare a majorNagaethnic groupnative toWokha Districtin theNortheast Indianstate ofNagaland.

Origins

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

Migration from eastern China

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According to this theory mentioned byHokishe Sema,theLothasstarted moving out from the Eastern part ofChina,passing throughMalaysia,IndonesiaandBurmaen route. After many long years of movement, they reached a place calledKhezakhenomalocated betweenManipurandChakhesang(the present-dayPhek), where they settled for a short period of time. FromKhezakhenomathey moved towards the present day settlement of theLothasi.e.Wokhawhere they finally settled.[2]

Migration from Manchuria

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This theory, mentioned byT. Phillips,says that theLothasmigrated fromManchuria,passing through the foothills of theHimalayasand reachedManipurviaBurma.FromManipur,they moved out and settled at the present day place.[3]

Migration from Lenka

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There are multiple versions of this theory:[4]

  • TheLothasancestors lived in a place calledLenka,situated east of theNagaterritory (modernNagaland). During the course of migration theLothassplit into two groups. The first group, after reaching theBrahmaputra Valley,settled there while the second group went towards the mountainous region of the present dayNagaland.
  • TheLothas,Sangtams,Rengmasand theSumishave a common ancestor and had dwelled mutually as one in their past. But at some stage in their course of migration fromLenka,theSangtamsdecided to go separate ways from a place calledMao.
  • TheLothas,along with the otherNagaethnic groups,reached the present-dayKohimaand settled at a place calledLezama.This is the place where theSemasparted with the otherNagaethnic groups and theLothaswith theRengmassettled at a hill calledThemoketsa(theLothascalled this placeHonoyonton). Here theRengmasparted ways from theLothas.One group ofLothaswent towardsDoyang,passing through villages likeShakiandPhiro.The other group moved towards the hilly region of the presentWokhaand settled at a place calledLongchumnear theNiroyo village.

Local traditions mention that theRengmasand theLothaswere once part of a single ethnic groups.[5]There are also oral records of a mighty struggle between the combinedRengmavillages, and theLothavillage ofPhiro.[6]

Distribution

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Towns and villages under Wokha District

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  • 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

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Beyond Wokha District, there are also sizable Lotha inhabitants inKohima,Chümoukedima,DimapurandMedziphema.

Culture

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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 isOpvüramandLongpensüfor men.

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

Festivals

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Tokhü Emong

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Main article:Tokhü Emong

Tokhü Emongis celebrated on 7 November. TheTokhü Emongis 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 thisTokhü Emongis celebrated on 7 November, every year.

Notable people

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  • A Lotha Naga girl in her traditional attire
    A Lotha Naga girl in her traditional attire

References

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  1. ^"A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix".censusindia.gov.in.Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.Retrieved3 November2017.
  2. ^Hokishe Sema (former Governor),The Emergence of Nagaland
  3. ^T. Phillips,Growth of Baptist Churches in Nagaland
  4. ^J P Mills,The Lotha-Nagas
  5. ^Journal of Anthropological Research.University of New Mexico. 1973. p. 168.OCLC60616192.
  6. ^Hutton, J H (1921).The Angami Nagas with Some Notes on Neighbouring Tribes.London: Macmillan and co. pp.7.OCLC44920051.
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