Jubilant children in their traditional attire during Telkhukhu Nyi 2026 at Viswema on July 27.
Our Correspondent
Viswema | July 28
The Rachü Women Society organized a grand Telkhukhu Nyi 2026 at Tazweo Kita, Viswema village in Kohima district on July 27, reaffirming the Angami community's enduring tradition of honouring the girl child and preserving its indigenous cultural heritage.
Observed annually on the 13th day of Chiinyi in the traditional lunar calendar, Telkhukhu Nyi is regarded as the only traditional festival exclusively dedicated to the girl child.
The festival, which marks the completion of paddy sowing, embodies the values of gratitude, sharing, unity, and womanhood.
Exhorting the gathering, Medohole Pusa described the festival as a time for forgiveness, reconciliation, and strengthening unity within the community, while emphasising the wisdom of the forefathers in preserving the tradition.
The significance and origin of the festival were presented by Neithono Sothu and Videneile Neikha, who narrated the legend of Te-L Khukhu (“The Toad's Share”).
According to oral tradition, the festival originated from a woman's vow to dedicate a portion of her harvest to a faithful toad that retrieved ripe millet after other animals failed, a story that continues to symbolise gratitude and thanksgiving.
Traditionally observed in Viswema, the festival involved mothers preparing Khukhu—a ritual meal of millet, rice, pork, eggs, snails and other delicacies—for invited girls. Before the meal, a symbolic “toad's share” is offered in gratitude, followed by prayers for abundant harvests.
The girls later gather at a decorated Chokrwu, where they share meals, sing traditional songs, visit neighbouring Chokrwu, and celebrate together, reflecting the festival's spirit of friendship, unity, and cultural identity.
Although some ceremonial practices have changed with the advent of Christianity and modernisation, the festival continues to preserve the values of gratitude, sharing, unity, and respect for womanhood.
Greetings were delivered by Mezhülhouü Miachieo, Vice President of the Angami Women Organisation (AWO); Kevisele Sophie, President of the Southern Angami Women Organisation (SAWO); and Evühole Chaya, President of the Viswema Women Organisation (VWO), who emphasized the importance of safeguarding indigenous traditions while promoting the dignity and well-being of the girl child.
The celebration also featured a folk song led by Kotebule Rhütso and cultural performances by Methasüle Lcho, Swedele Noswe, and Konüle Kin. The programme was chaired by Keholesüle Kweho, with a welcome address by Kropole Theyo, while Kropo Neikha, Chairman of the Rachü Panchayat, offered the invocation.
