Dimapur, Dec. 19 (EMN): The Lotha Naga Cultural Society (LNCS), established in the year 2008 with it’s headquarter in Kohima, established branches in the Lotha Middle Range areas which includes 29 villages and Blocks, on December 16.
The programme for establishment of the LNCS branches was held at Sanis town community hall with Wochamo Odyuo, Additional commissioner of state Taxes as the resource person.
President LNCS, Zubemo Kithan, in his opening remarks said, “Our culture is our identity and with the aim and objective to research, preserve and to promote the Lotha Naga culture and traditions, LNCS was formed comprising of seven- member governing team”
Kithan stated that till date there are 34 branches formed under the society in Wokha district.
He shared that the society is an NGO functioning through the voluntary works by youngsters, who are trying to take forth and give awareness on preservation and promotion of Lotha culture, to all the villages of the Lotha Tribe.
Meanwhile, Wochamo Odyuo, in his address stressed on the need to research and safeguard the culture and tradition of the tribe and added, “we need to find elders from different villages to keep record of the cultural practices and traditional usages.”
He also urged the LNCS team to work hand in hand with the Lotha Academy and complement one another.
Odyuo further stressed the need to research the usage of the various traditional attires and also pointed out the importance and usage of Lotha dialect.
He reminded that the status of dialect usage among the Lothas is in the vulnerable category as per United Nation Education Scientific & Cultural organization (UNESCO) chart.
Earlier, Odyuo handed over certificates to all the 29 villages affiliated to LNCS.
The programme was chaired by Vungathung Murry, vice president of LNCS, while Longshi Murry, pastor of Longtsung Baptist Church, pronounced invocation.
Chairman of Lotha Middle Range Village Council Chairmen Union, Thechamo Ovung, and president of Lotha Middle Range Student's Union, Wonchibemo B Ovung, also addressed the gathering.