Arunachal celebrates Chalo Loko festival of Nocte tribe

Itanagar, Nov 25: The 56th edition of the annual Nocte Chalo Loko Festival in Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh has reached its third day, celebrated with grand festivities and vibrant spirit on Monday.

In the Nocte dialect, “Loku” is derived from the words “Lofe” (to drive out) and “Rang-Ku” (season), literally meaning to drive out the old season. The timing of the festival varies by village, with some celebrating in July or August, while others mark the occasion in October or November after the harvest of Ahu paddy.

The festival’s first day, known as “Famlam,” begins with the slaughter of pigs and buffalos. Villagers are busy gathering items for festivities, preparing rice beer, and organizing the entertainment. In the evening, the village elders gather at the Chief’s house for discussions, marking the beginning of the celebrations.

On the second day, called “Chamkatja,” villagers head to “Chaatam,” usually on the village outskirts, to offer prayers for the community’s well-being and a bountiful harvest. Led by the Chief, prayers are followed by a communal meal and rice beer. Dancing begins after the meal, with villagers making their way back to the Chief’s house, firing blank shots upon arrival. They continue the celebrations with traditional dances, including the energetic “Chamwangbong”, which lasts for several hours into the night, adorned in ceremonial attire.

The third day, known as “Thanglangja,” starts with the Chief and village elders reading omens by breaking eggs collected from the village. These omens guide the selection of jhoom plots for the upcoming year’s cultivation. The day continues with villagers visiting each other’s homes, sharing food and drink, before gathering at “Songlongthong,” the Chief’s courtyard, for final dances and festivities. The festival concludes with a farewell song:
“LOKU LA LIEM TA CHONGPO LAZU TA PANRI LA CHUN TA JA JA CHONO JA NEPA BA HURO JA TAO HANGLOMA CHA HANGLOMA,”
which translates to: “Blooming flowers have fallen down, fruits have mellowed, Loku has ended. Go away, Loku, and please come again next year with new spirit and blessings for a good harvest.”

The festival date is set by the village elders, who calculate it based on the waxing moon. Each Nocte village echoes with the declaration of Loku’s arrival, filling the region with anticipation and joy.

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