Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 7
Gur (jaggery) is the main attraction of both domestic and foreign tourists at the Lotha Chumpho (Morung) at Kisama. The Gur brought from Yanthamo vilage has a distinct dark chocolate colour, aroma and shape, unlike the ones that are available in the market.
The jaggery locally prepared by the local people of Yanthamo village from sugarcane is firstly cut and then the juice is extracted which is then boiled to a certain degree and then finally it is neatly placed in banana leaves for the cooling process.
This Hornbill the Lotha Chumpho is being run and managed by Yanthamo Village Students’ Union to raise fund in aid of its forthcoming golden jubilee celebration in 2016.
Interacting with Eastern Mirror, YVSU convenor Khonthung Kikon said the village people have very low source of income, and therefore it has seized this Hornbill Festival as an opportunity to raise fund, and at the same let the students learn the dignity of labour. He said most of the materials like local rice, firewood etc are donated through the goodwill of the church and individuals.
When asked about the average income per day, he said they are earning about Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 with mostly the foreign tourists as customers.
Beaming Kikon then said the locally made jaggery has been the fascination of the tourists, wherein they come, see, enquire and buy. Kikon further said the main season for jaggery comes only in the month of January and February, and therefore they have very less quantity at the moment, which was brought only for exhibition; however it is being sold to interested buyers for Rs 300 per kg.
He said the jaggery is manually prepared by the local people which is pure, organic and hygienic without any added artificial colors and preservatives, and thus it is healthy for consumption. He also added that it tastes best with red tea.
For all food lovers who want to taste the delectable recipes of the Lothas, the Lotha Morung offers its speciality wherein the dishes are all prepared with bamboo shoot, steamed fish, machihan (chutney), beef prepared with sesame seeds etc.
