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Kohima/ Dimapur — Sumi community comprising colonies of Hospital, Officers’ Hill and PR Hill (HOP) in Kohima and WSBAK in Dimapur celebrated Tuluni festival with pomp and gaiety on Saturday at State Academy hall in Kohima and in Thahekhu village respectively.
Tulini is one of the premier festivals of the Sumi community which marks the celebration of the year-long hard work of the people and to commemorate the bountiful harvest of crops.
Speaking during the festival programme in Kohima, Vikheto Shohe, chairman of HOP, emphasised on the past glories and achievements of their tribe in the Naga society and accordingly exhorted the youth members to move forward positively.
Inaho Shohe, advisor of the community, during a conversation with Eastern Mirror during the event, explained the significance of their festival. According to him, the festival, which celebrated in the month of July, marks the commencement of essential agricultural processes like sowing and plantation.
Speaking about the rituals and customs associated with the festival, Shohe described how blessings are invoked upon the plantation during the week-long festivities.
From Monday to Wednesday, the community members engage in the preparation of millet beer and various food items, while the community also distribute meat and other edible items to the elderly individuals in need. He informed that those activities serve as a prelude to the main day of the festival, which falls on Thursday—the fourth day of the celebration.
Shohe further explained that on Friday, different clans and farmer groups, including affluent gaonburas, host feasts, while the able-bodied men participate in collective efforts to clear the approach roads leading to their fields. Subsequently, the womenfolk prepare lavish meals for everyone at the rest houses.
Shohe, is also a sub-divisional head assistant in the Power department, mentioned that on Saturday, the youth partake in various indigenous games such as long jump, high jump, tug of war, and kick fights, as a source of entertainment.
During the occasion, pastor Akuto Achumi invoked God’s blessings upon the new office bearers for the tenure 2023-26 of the community while a report for the tenure 2021-23 was presented by Vitoshe L Shohe.
Display of Sumi traditional attires, folk song presentations, traditional music and dances along with community feast marked the event.
In a related programme, WSBAK under the leadership of its executive secretary, Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema, celebrated Tuluni festival at WSBAK Mission Centre Aküvüto, Thahekhu, on July 8 with CL John, minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change and Village Guards, as the special guest of the celebration.
Impressed with the well maintained surroundings, CL John has appreciated and encouraged the community of Aküvüto to continue to be an example to preserve and protect the environment, an update from WSBAK stated. Having informed about the upcoming mission of WSBAK to establish a secular college with proper Christian discipline, CL John has lauded WSBAK for its upcoming mission work.
He encouraged the community by stating that Nagas should preserve and uphold their culture and tradition with proper Christian belief. He added that celebration of festival such as Tuluni should not be celebrated only through feast and merry-making but should be celebrated with a spirit for forgiveness, thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God for future blessing and togetherness.
He further encouraged to cultivate the culture of ‘work and eat’ in order to know the value of dignity of labor.
The programme was chaired by K Nifato Chishi, secretary of youth ministry, while an invocation was said by Kakheli Inato Jimomi, secretary of women ministry, and the welcome address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema.
A special indigenous item called “Aghakütsa Ghushoghili Shikipiye” was presented by Nagagenous and concluded with a benediction said by Rev. Tovishe Sema, secretary of mission and evangelism.