Nagaland tour: Part 8।। Khonoma Village & Kohima Catholic Cathedral

Date - 30/05/23

link of my previous video
   • Nagaland tour: Part 7।। Villages of N...  

Car fare Rs 5500/-

INFORMATIONS ABOUT KHONOMA VILLAGE :

Khonoma is a Western Angami Naga village located about 20 km west from Kohima, the capital of the Indian state of Nagaland. The village is referred to as Khwüno-ra (named after the Angami term for a local plant, Glouthera fragrantissima). The total population of the village is about 1943, settled in 424 households. It is the first green village in India.
The inhabitants fought battles against the British from 1830 to 1880, Angami Naga warriors from Khonoma fought a series of fierce battles against the British to stop them from force recruiting Nagas as bonded labourers. On 13 October 1879, G. H. Damant, a political officer of the Naga Hills, led a troop of 87 British soldiers to Khonoma to enforce a tax and the British recruitment of bonded labour. The British troop was ambushed by the Angami warriors and in the ensuing battle, 27 British including G. H. Damant were killed.

Thereafter, the British called in reinforcements and laid siege to the tiny village. After holding out for four months, a peace treaty was eventually signed with the British on 27 March 1880. Known as the 'Battle of Khonoma' this was the last organised resistance by the Nagas against the British.

In 1890, the British introduced Christianity, and over a period of time, most of the villagers became Christians.

INFORMATIONS ABOUT KOHIMA CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL :

The Cathedral of Kohima (Mary Help of Christians Church) is the church of the bishop of the diocese of Kohima, and hence, the main church of this diocese of Nagaland, India. The church is noted for its architecture which incorporates many elements of traditional Naga houses, including its facade which resembles that of a Naga house. The architecture of the cathedral blends into the hill on which it is situated. The 16 feet high carved wood crucifix is one of Asia's largest crosses.
The cathedral was conceptualised by the first bishop of Kohima, Abraham Alangimattathil. The cathedral complex also contains Bishop Alangimattathil's tomb.
The construction commenced in 1986 and the church was consecrated in January 1991. The three-crore expense for constructing the cathedral was mostly funded by Japanese people who wished to construct a monument to the Japanese soldiers who died in the Battle of Kohima during the Second World War. For this reason, the following quote is engraved in the environs of the cathedral:

"...It is with thankfulness that we heard that a Catholic Cathedral was built at Kohima, where Mass would be offered every morning in the memory of the fallen..."
There is also another inscription near the entrance to the building:

"When you enter in here, bring before the Lord all those who gave their life and who will give their all, for your safer and better Nagaland."
The cathedral was used as the venue for reconciliation meetings between the Japanese and British veterans who fought each other during the war.