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DIMAPUR — Satakhami Union Dimapur (SUD) and Ikishe village celebrated ‘Ahuna,’ a post harvest festival of the Sumi community, with traditional fervour on Saturday.
SUD celebrated Ahuna at Agri-Expo Site, with the minister of PWD (R&B), G Kaito Aye, as the chief guest and hosted by Dr. Zhekheto Zhimomi, retired director of Treasuries and Accounts.
Speaking at the event, Aye said the festival signifies completion of extensive plantation activities followed with sacrificial offerings practiced by their forefathers in the earlier days. He urged the gathering to uphold the cultural and traditional practices in order to preserve the community’s identity.
The minister also urged the community to showcase the rich cultural traditions of their community to the world. He said Hornbill Festival is a significant platform to present the community's abundant cultural and traditional heritage.
He called upon the community to love and respect one another and unite to take forward towards promotion of its culture. He further encouraged all to look forward for better future not just for the community in particular but also the society in general.
President of Western Sumi Hoho (WSH), Shikaho Zhimomi, shared greetings, while short speech on behalf of Sumi Hoho Oking was delivered by I Nikheto Jimomi.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The highlights of the festival included folk dances by women of Shoilu union Dimapur and men of Khukiye Lukhai Union Dimapur and folk song by Ghukiye Union Dimapur.
Meanwhile, minister of PHED and Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi, attended the pre-Ahuna festival celebration-cum-unveiling of monolith to commemorate the first settlers of Ikishe village on Saturday at Ikishe village ground. The silver jubilee celebration of Ikishe village will be held on December 4.
Speaking at the programme, Zhimomi, urged the Nagas to focus more on other jobs and entrepreneurship instead of seeking small post in government sector. Pointing out that other countries have advanced through entrepreneurship, he suggested the Nagas to focus more on building business.
Reminding that in olden times, villagers harvest rice but now people harvest with education, he called upon the students to focus on education and study hard if they want to get through competitive exams.
Cultural song was performed by Ikishe village women and cultural dance by Ikishe village council. Traditional games such as Angu küpüsü, Itsa, Ami küküla and Sholupa were displayed during the programme.
The dedicatory prayer for the monolith was said by Hotoli Sema, women pastor of Ikishe Village Baptist Church.
In another programme, Sumi Student's Union Guwahati (SSUG) on November 10 celebrated Ahuna at Shilpgram NEZCC, Guwahati, on the theme "Pruning our identity" with Y Kikheto Sema, commissioner and secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as the chief guest.
In his address, Sema highlighted the significance and relevance of Ahuna festival in the 21st century. He stated that 71% of the Nagas live in rural areas and are engaged in jhum cultivation with 11-12 phases of activities in a year.
Reflecting on the theme, Sema said pruning is when unwanted branches are removed from a tree and improve every brunch that bears fruits. In this regard, he urged everyone to work hard to bear fruits.
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