Chizokho Vero
February 19
Kohima, (MExN): Come February 25, the picturesque Tuophema Tourist village and the native village of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would witness scores of both domestic and foreign tourists as the Angami premier festival Sekrenyi is celebrated there for three days.
Apart from cultural activities during the festival, the celebrants would get an opportunity to go for trekking, rock climbing, visit to museum, tastes the Naga dishes and discover legends and myths.
Among the many highlights to mark the Sekrenyi from February 25-27 at Tuophema, inauguration of museum house by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Sekrenyi blessing by Sekrenyi Pou (Father) T.L Angami, chairman Naga Customary Court, folk dances, indigenous games, folk song competition, Sekrenyi feast are included.
About 41 km away from Kohima, Tuophema was established in 1431 AD. As this village is situated on a hilly region, tourists can go for sightseeing, trekking, rock climbing in any direction outside the village.
Worth visiting places include Community Reserve Forests, Niethu Peak and Phezou Hill. Community Reserve Forest is a sanctuary of wild life and vegetation. It is the main source of water supply to eight neighbouring villages. The forest is guarded by village youth volunteer force on rotation basis.
Niethu Peak is the highest peak falling within Community Reserve Forest, situated two Km from the village. Ideal for trekking and watching the rich varieties of flora and fauna, it offers a panoramic view of neighbouring villages.
Phezou Hill is situated about 1 and half Km from the tourist resort. From a top of it provides crystal views of Kohima and a number of other surrounding villages including some villages under Phek and Zunheboto district.
Discover the legends and myths here. First, Kipu Tsie. According to a brochure, a pair of stones originally pulled from Thoru river lying between Themoketsa village (presently known as Kasha Group) and Tuophema village are believed to be wife and husband. These are now treasured in Pheluozou (playfield) Tuophema village Bawe (old). The round stone is the female known as Goddess stone and the flat stone is the male. A holed exists on the side of the female stone from where red liquid oozes out at intervals. It is believed that hunters going for hunting at that particular period always get their kill. It is believed that Tuophema Village Bawe (old) has been getting bumper harvest ever since the stones have been brought to the village.
Chukie-u Tsie: This stone when touched or move from its original place brings storm and torrential rain. When this happens the villagers are abstained from going to their fields as they believed that the storm is the fury of the Supreme being. This stone lies on the entrance gate of the fort of Tuophema Village (Bawe) old.
Temiozukhrie Ba: An amazing stone with a depression which measures 2 feet on length, one feet in breadth and 1 and half inch in depth. It is always filled with water which provides home to a toad and a small fish. This strange thing is that if the water is drained out of the previous night, it is filled up again to its original level of the next morning. This stone lies on the eastern outskirts of the Tuophema Village (Bawe) old.
Also discover Tsickhrietsie. The legend is that this historical stone moves wherever the village is about to be invaded by the enemies. It is endowed with many intricate patterns. The design of shawls worn by elders and warriors is derived from the pattern on the stone. It is located at Tuophema Village, Basa (new).
The Tuophema Tourist Village is situated on a gentle hill top between old and new village. For accommodation, it offers Naga cottage with all basic amenities. Continental and Indian food and local delicacies are available. One can also do shopping on handloom textiles, handicrafts and other souvenir items. Cultural shows, western music and indigenous games are also being performed. Other attractions are, village council hall to stage show, village museum with collection of traditional dresses, ornaments and historical museum pieces.
Also visit A&Z Associate Tourist Resort, situated at Tsado valley, about one Km from tourist village at the foothill of Phezou Hill. Avail accommodation in Jungle Cottage that features all basic facilities.
Naga Dishes, Indian, Chinese and local delicacies are available there, according to a brochure. Also taste varied beverages such as fruit juices, coffee and tea, cold drinks, local brewed rice beer and Royal Beer (Zutho and Thuthse), Local and Foreign wine and spirits for sale to tourists only. Before you reach the Tourist village, one will come across Highway Inn, Botsa on NH 61. This is a favourite haunt for passengers traveling between Kohima and Mokokchung.
During the festival, folk dances will be presented by Kidima cultural troupe, PKR Cultural troupe and Tuophema Cultural Troupe.
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