Lotha Naga

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Lotha is the name of a major Naga tribe inhabiting the Wokha district of Nagaland, India.

History

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 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 Chakesang (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 ie. Wokha where they finally settled.[1]
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.[2]
Migration from Lenka
There are multiple versions of this theory:[3]
  • 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 tribes 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 tribe.[4] There are also oral records of a mighty struggle between the combined Rengma villages, and the Lotha village of Phiro.[5]

Population

According to the 2001 census of India, Lothas - the native of Wokha district of Nagaland number 548,000.

Culture

Wokha is the traditional home of the Lotha tribe. 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 Opvuram and Longpensu 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.

Tokhu Emong and Pikhuchak are the main festivals celebrated amidst much pomp and splendor. Tokhu Emong is celebrated on November 7.

References

  1. ↑ Hokishe Sema (former Governor), The Emergence of Nagaland
  2. ↑ T. Phillips, Growth of Baptist Churches in Nagaland
  3. ↑ J P Mills, The Lotha-Nagas
  4. ↑ Journal of Anthropological Research. University of New Mexico. 1973. p. 168. OCLC 60616192. 
  5. ↑ Hutton, J H (1921). The Angami Nagas with Some Notes on Neighbouring Tribes. London: Macmillan and co. p. 7. OCLC 44920051. 

Related links

Lothas at Ethnologue website

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