Lotha bodies direct Wokha banks to shut on Tokhü Emong

WOKHA – Two Lotha community organisations have directed all Wokha banks to declare a holiday and stay “completely shut” on Saturday, Nov. 7, for Tokhü Emong, the post-harvest festival of the Lotha Nagas, warning that any bank that does not comply will be “held solely responsible” for what follows.

The directive, dated Nov. 4, was issued jointly by the Lotha Youth Hoho (LYH) and the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) “in the interest of the Lotha Community”. It is addressed to “all Banking Institutions operating within Wokha District”.

“Any defiance or non-compliance shall be viewed with utmost seriousness and any untoward situation arising therefrom, the concerned Bank shall be held solely responsible,” it said. The directive does not say what action, if any, the organisations would take.

It is signed by LYH president Mharhomo V. Murry and general secretary Wobenthung L. Ezung, and by LSU president S. Zubenthung Ngullie and general secretary Nyanthung M. Khuvung.

What the directive asks of Wokha banks

The two bodies directed all banks “to issue necessary notification and ensure total shutdown of banking operations on the said date”.

They said the closure was meant “to uphold the sanctity of the festival and to enable banking employees and the general public to celebrate the occasion with their families”. Also Read Angami Public Organisation Sets Deadlines to Restrict Employment, Services and Rental to ‘Illegal Immigrants’

“Tokhü Emong is not a mere festival but the very identity of the Lothas,” the directive said, describing it as “a festival of thanksgiving, reconciliation, sharing, forgiveness and brotherhood” celebrated by Lothas “across the world on 7th November annually”.

Is Nov. 7 a bank holiday?

Bank holidays in a state are those notified under the Negotiable Instruments Act. In the most recent Nagaland holiday notification Nagaland.News could review, for 2018, Tokhü Emong appeared only on the list of restricted holidays, which government employees may choose to take, and not on the Negotiable Instruments Act list that governs bank closures.

Nagaland.News could not find Tokhü Emong on published 2026 holiday lists for the state, and no Wokha district order declaring Nov. 7 a local holiday was found online. Nov. 7 falls on the first Saturday of the month, a working day for banks, which close on the second and fourth Saturdays.

No bank, the Wokha district administration or the State Level Bankers’ Committee had responded publicly to the directive by Wednesday evening. Nagaland.News has sought comment.

About Tokhü Emong

Tokhü Emong marks the end of the harvest season and is the main festival of the Lotha Nagas, who live mainly in Wokha district. Celebrations begin on Nov. 7 each year with feasting, folk songs and dances, and the settling of past disputes.

The festival’s place on the state holiday calendar has been raised before. In 2011, the Kyong Students’ Union sought an explanation after Tokhü Emong was left out of the state’s 2012 restricted holidays list, The Morung Express reported.

In 2022, the Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked businesses in Wokha town to stay closed until noon on Nov. 7 so members could join the Tokhü Emong celebration, The Morung Express reported.