Title: Mekokla Tokhvu Khen

Language: Kyong yi (lotha)

Description: This tribal folk song is a vibrant tapestry of sound and spirit, echoing the pulse of youth and the deep-rooted beauty of village life. It begins with a gentle hum, like a distant breeze rustling through the trees, evoking the peace of the land and the pride of its people. The lyrics paint the village in warm hues — lush fields stretching beneath a golden sky, mud walls adorned with ochre and chalk, and faces aglow with joy and tradition.

As the song unfolds, a lone traveler—perhaps a young man or an elder returning from the forest—hears the distant voice of celebration rising like smoke into the air. Drawn by the echo of drums and laughter, he follows the sound and finds himself at the heart of the village, where people have gathered in a great circle beneath a sacred tree. The tree, ancient and wise, stands tall like a guardian of stories, and around it, the villagers dance with the grace of hornbill birds — radiant in feathered garments, moving with elegance and pride.

There is color everywhere: in the swirling skirts, the painted faces, the fluttering flags. The song swells with the rhythm of drums and flutes, mirroring the heartbeat of the community. Amid the celebration, there are soft verses that reflect on the afterlife — not with sorrow, but with a serene acceptance, a belief that life and death are part of one great, joyful cycle. It speaks of ancestors watching from the stars and children born under the same sun, as if time itself dances in the circle with them.

The chorus lifts like birds taking flight, celebrating the harmony between people and place, the shared spirit that binds them. It is a song of roots and wings — of belonging, beauty, and the eternal rhythm of life in the village.

Format & Duration: Audio: 2 mins, 27 seconds
Date of Recording: 8/28/2025
Date of Upload: 30 September 2025
Performer: Tsenkhomo Kikon
Creator: Abigal Yanthan
Publisher: Tetso College, Dimapur
Note: We honor the voice that carries the spirit of our people. Through your song, the village breathes — full of youth, beauty, and tradition.

Cite this work

Yanthan, Abigal   . 2025  . Mekokla Tokhvu Khen  .   (Narrated by Tsenkhomo Kikon )  . Sovima: NEIIPA, Tetso College  . (https://neiipa.in/audio/mekokla-tokhvu-khen/)  . Accessed: (09-Oct-2025)