Rotomi Village and the Weeding Song (Moza Leh)

Rotomi Village, established in 1586 AD, one of the old Sumi villages.

To Rotomi Village, 13th August 2011

Apuh Rotokha and Apuh Pukhazhe enjoying a brief break from the bumpy road ride under a banyan tree.

Rotomi Village gate

The elders at the Chief's house with the Village Chief in his ceremonial red coat

A village elder at the entrance of the field ready to show us how the Weeding Song is performed

Rotomi villagers singing the lively Moza leh 

Rice field - almost ready for harvest

A monolith erected in honour of those 60 Rotomi Villager killed during British Expedition on June 22, 1883. "On 22.06.1883, a punitive expedition led by Naga Hills D.C, Mr. R.B. McCabe and S.D.O. Mr. Broderick, with 100 sepoys and 300 Coolies marched against Rotomi village and brunt down 400 houses and granaries. Cattle carried off, and killed 60 Rotomi. Thus, this village was subdued to British Administration.

DEATH DIVIDES BUT MEMORY CLINGS"

Also in memory of those Rotomi who went to France and Germany to help in the war under D.C, Mr.H.C. Barnes who was their Commander. The names of those who safely returned to the village on March 9, 1917 have been inscribed on the stone.

Aggressive cute little ants that managed to bite my legs and almost killed me...not.:-p

Red Weaver Ants on a mango tree in the middle of the rice field

and their lovely silken round nest of mango leaves!

A modern granary at Rotomi 

The Village Council Hall

Rev. Dr. Najekhu Yepthomi's memorial

A view of Matez, the place where most of the Sumi villages migrated from. 

View of Mountain of the Dead hidden by the clouds. It's so close to Rotomi! The villagers told me that some hundred years ago their ancestors used to hear war cries and voices of dead souls and animals who journeyed to the netherworld to those mountains. They no longer hear them now.

On the way back - gigantic Colocasia leaves and flooded, muddy, useless road at Khitakisa