'Protect indigenous languages and cultural identity at all costs'

‘Onus on parents for teaching mother tongue’-Patton

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | November 7

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton insisted on preserving Naga indigenous language and cultural identity at all costs, speaking at the Tokhu Emong Festival celebration organised by the Dimapur Lotha Hoho in Dimapur on November 7.

Patton was the chief guest at the festival, which also had in attendance MLA and Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election Tovihoto Ayemi, and MLA and Advisor for Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Excise Moatoshi Longkumer as guests of honour. 

While encouraging the younger generation to take the effort to uphold traditional attire and inculcate customs and cultural practices, he said, “Many people in Dimapur, particularly among the younger generation, are unable to speak their mother tongue. Parents must take responsibility for teaching their children the language at home.”

Patton stated that cultural preservation must not remain confined to yearly one-off events alone. Describing Tokhu Emong as an occasion for thanksgiving and reconciliation, he advised the community to forgive past misunderstandings and work together. According to him, the festival was not merely about feasting, but an occasion to thank God for protection, good health, and the blessing of witnessing another year. He also suggested holding collective celebrations once every three or four years, while urging the Lotha community to participate in and support the festivals of other tribes.

He said that living conditions in Dimapur and Nagaland in general have changed over the decades and asked citizens to move forward in unity. 

Patton told students to pursue clear ambitions rather than settling for mere academic certificates. He added that development matters under Article 371 continue to face hurdles that require focused attention.

Addressing the gathering, Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election Tovihoto Ayemi cautioned against modernization that leads to cultural erosion, pointing out that native dialects are increasingly being replaced by Nagamese and English. He called for balance between tribal roots and common Naga unity. “Our specific tribes are branches of the exact same tree. If the trunk of the Naga identity decays due to division, all our branches will fall with it,” Ayemi said, urging families to retain indigenous mother tongues and review customary practices that bar women from decision-making bodies.

Advisor for Labour and Employment Moatoshi Longkumer commended the enterprise and determination of the Lothas, particularly the youth venturing out to establish businesses and careers.

Longkumer noted that Tokhu Emong reflects not only the yield of the soil but also the fruits of hard labor and community sacrifice. “Our communities may have different histories and traditions, but our future is closely connected,” he said, adding that public representatives must work to create economic avenues so that the hard work of the people translates into lasting progress.

Naga issue
On the fragmented Naga political issue, the Deputy Chief Minister appealed to all the Naga Political Groups to unite, stating that the Government of India would not offer separate solutions to the multiple Naga Political Groups, estimated to have fragmented to around 36 or 37 factions. He expressed concern over illegal taxation and extortion in the name of donation demands in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland.