Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 4
A traditional stone pulling ceremony in commemoration of 142 years of Anglo- Naga Peace Treaty at Mezoma in 1880, will take place on December 6 at Mezoma village under Kohima district.
On 27 March 1880, the British and Nagas entered into Vitho (Peace Treaty), an agreement for peace and cessation of hostilities at Mezoma village.
While the British claim to have destroyed and subjugated the Nagas through their superior firearms, the Nagas resolutely hold that a Vitho concluded with the British brought an end to their hostilities.
It is orally testified and verified that in the solemn ceremony at Mezoma village on March 27, 1880, the British representative held the lower end of a cat while two men from Khonoma and Mezoma held the head and the cat was sliced in half.
Accordingly, an oath of peace that bound the parties in the severest terms and ended the existing state of war between the British and the Angami Nagas, was established.
In the course of a half-century, from 1832 to 1880, the Nagas lost many lives, had their homes and villages burnt, and granaries destroyed, while the British lost some of their best officers and hordes of troops in their hid to subdue the mountainous tracts of the Naga Hills and its valiant people.
Deeply bound to their land and their freedom, and ever resistant to foreign rule, the British were neither the first nor the last adversaries of the Nagas but the Anglo-Naga Peace Treaty on March 27, 1880 was never breached by the Angami Nagas till the British departure in 1947, according to available records.
Mezoma village lies around 20 km away from Nagaland’s state capital Kohima.
This event- traditional stone pulling ceremony in commemoration of 142 years of Anglo- Naga Peace Treaty, as part of the Hornbill Festival 2022, is being organised by Mezomia Mechü Kehou (MMK).
Commencing from 11: 00 AM onwards, Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will grace the occasion as the chief guest. Mezoma GB Rovigwelhou Chüsi will pronounce traditional blessing.
The programme will be chaired by organising committee convenor Neivikuolie Khatsü.
Mezomia will also display its biggest and heaviest traditional head gear during the event.
A booklet on Anglo-Naga Vitho (Peace Treaty) will also be released on the occasion.
To reach Mezoma, one has to take the route; Kohima-Hydro-Mezoma (18 Km) or Kohima- Khonoma- Mezoma ( 27 km)/ Zubza- Sechüma- Mezoma (29 km).
The stone pulling will be followed by village walk- Krapie- visiting Morungs led by the Chief Minister of Nagaland.
Meanwhile, MMK and Mezoma Village Council extended invitation to all the Angami villages, all tribal Hohos, tourists and well wishers to be part of the programme.
