Wokha: In Nagaland, thousands of Lotha and Sumi Nagas gathered at a stretch of the Doyang River in Wokha district to continue a time-honored tradition of community fishing with the aim to strengthen ties between the two communities.
Organised by the village councils of Tsungiki (Lotha) and Philimi (Sumi), and the Tsungiki-Philimi Doyang Union, 18 villages from both communities participated in the 21st Tsungiki-Philimi community fishing on Friday.
During the event, Head Gaon Bura (GB) of the Philimi Village Council (PVC), Vikhehe Assumi, informed that considering the age-old fishing tradition, a union was formed 24 years ago to unite and foster friendship between the Lotha and Sumi two communities.
He expressed hope that such unity would contribute towards uniting the Nagas and hoped that the fishing event would turn out to be a place to foster unity among the Nagas.
Tsungiki Village Council (TVC) chairman, Janthungo Kikon, said that although the union comprises of only two villages, the community fishing brings together residents of about 15-20 villages.
In this unique traditional fishing technique, logs are cut and placed on the river (with water level below the knee) as bed to place piscicidal plant roots.
After a mass prayer, men from both communities began to sing a traditional song as they began to pound the roots. These plant roots were then replaced with new ones from time to time.
Standing on river-bank, women and children watched as men pounded the piscicidal plant roots.
As herbal pesticides oozed out, the congregation, including both male and female, moved downstream to a catchment area to fish using fishing nets and rods.
As per research, the knowledge of harvesting fish with the help of poisonous plants is an age-old practice among the tribal community of Northeast India. Herbal piscicides are more eco-friendly than their chemical counterpart used in aquaculture.
According to Kikon, the two villages have been making all efforts to keep the tradition alive. To continue the tradition, he sought the cooperation of the villages across the borders to preserve the time-honored tradition of the ancestors.
He informed that during a community fishing in 2006, chief minister Neiphiu Rio who attended the event, had built a hanging bridge and constructed a road leading to the catchment where the event was held.
With no funds, he said that the union struggled to maintain the bridge and the road. In this regard, he requested Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, who attended the event, to consider repairing the hanging bridge and roads. He informed that there are three roads leading to the catchment area- one road from the Lotha area and the others from the Sumi area.
Tsungiki village council secretary, Chenithung Kikon, shared the significance of the event. He said that the annual event, practiced by forefathers, is more than just fishing.
The real essence, he said, is to maintain a cordial relationship, strengthen ties, and camaraderie between the two villages, and with their neighbors, and between the communities.
He added that the traditional fishing technique is also a safe technique of fishing which the younger generation needs to learn about.
Nagaland’s first woman minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse remarked that the event is a good example of how unity can be fostered within Naga communities.
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Deputy CM Y Patton urged the communities to maintain the friendship and said that due to the model code of conduct, no assurances can be made. He, however, suggested the communities approach the state government once a popular government at the Centre is formed.
Former MLA and founding member of the union Doshehe Sema expressed concern about the decreasing number of fish over the years due to bombing and contamination using chemicals. He encouraged the communities to preserve and follow safe practices at other times so as to continue with the annual fishing event.
Patton and several other legislators who attended the event also took part in the event.
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