Minister G Kaito Aye and others during the Tuluni celebration at Kisama on July 8. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kisama | July 8
Kohima Sümi Hoho (KSH) today celebrated Tuluni festival at Naga Heritage Village Kisama with Nagaland’s Agriculture & Co-Operation Minister G Kaito Aye as Tuluni’s father.
Speaking on the occasion, Aye said that Sümis have rich customs and traditions however with the influence of the modern culture, the originality of Sümi cultures and traditions has declined; “But by observing our festival such as Tuluni the younger generation could recollect and preserve our culture.”
He said that our customs and tradition is our identity therefore it should be preserved.
He lauded the ‘Year of Reconciliation’ initiative taken by Sümi Hoho and appealed that through the celebration of festivals such as Tuluni, the civil societies and also each individual should try to put more efforts to transform our socio-economic, political reformation as well as “conceding our faults and past mistakes.”
Tuluni is the most significant festival to the Sümi community. It is not just a pre-harvest festival but a festival that strengthen the bond between families, friends and younger generation, said Aye.
“Let us leave aside our pride and shed our ego and bring back the dignity of labour and build our economy strong, strengthen our community only then, we as a people will grow,” the minister said.
Building a better, strong, peaceful, resourceful community
He encouraged the youngsters to recommit and try even harder and be proud of their achievements and make the community proud too.
Aye said that the government has designed many schemes and programmes to promote and engage the youth in many areas, mainly in entrepreneurship, farming and allied activities.
Those who are genuinely interested can avail these opportunities, he said and encouraged the youths to venture into different fields apart from government job.
The minister urged the Sümi community to have patience, humbleness and embrace unity, respect and exercise positive attitude toward others.
Taking the opportunity of coming together during this Tuluni festival, he said “Let us re-evaluate our position, renew ourselves and shed our differences if any and build a better strong, humble, peaceful and resourceful community.”
7419 Sümi community in Kohima
Earlier, sharing greetings, KSH president Khevito T Shohe, stated that with the collective efforts of Kohima Sümi Hoho, Kohima Sümi Totimi Hoho, Kohima Sümi Officers Union and Kohima Sümi Students Union, the Sümi community Kohima has celebrated Tuluni for the first time at Kisama.
He thanked Kaito G Aye for gracing the Tuluni festival.
He also informed that KSH is celebrating Tuluni after the gap of seven years to commemorate the call of Sümi apex tribal organization- Sümi Hoho which declared the year 2022 as the “Year of Reconciliation” (Sümi Küqhakulu mpe) among the Sümi community.
Shohe made a fervent appeal to the Sümi community to have good relations and peaceful co-existence within the tribe as well as with other communities.
As on May 30, 2022, Sümi community has a population of 7419 under 19 sectors in Kohima, he said.
Vixepu Swu, vice president, KSH chaired the programme while Shena Old Cultural Club, Kohima showcased a traditional war dance, and an ululating Sümi indigenous song was performed by Khegholi and Lhoili Kiba.
The celebration started with a prayer by Küghavi Chishi, Pastor, NCRC (Sümi) Kohima and benediction by Rev Dr Kiyeto Sema, Pastor, SABCK, Kohima.
The celebration was followed by Tuluni feast.
