Kohima: Beyond the feasts, the Tuluni festival serves as the heartbeat of the Sumi people. It is a link to history. Sumi Literature Board Chairman Y Vihoshe Muru says the festival grounds his community in their agrarian past and core values.
While Ahuna has gained popularity due to the rainy midsummer weather affecting Tuluni celebrations, Muru maintains that Tuluni is the primary festival. It arrives after the paddy transplantation. It serves as a thanksgiving for the first produce from wet fields and jhum plots.
The festival spans seven days, each marked by specific rites. It begins with brewing preparations and progresses to the slaughter of livestock for communal sharing. The fourth day remains the centerpiece for games, music, and dance. Muru noted, "This is the day when people gather for feasting, traditional games, folk songs and dances. The entire village comes together in celebration."
Villages once acted alone, setting their own dates for the rites. That changed in the 1960s. The Sema Tribal Council ruled that every village would observe the festival on July 7 and 8. The Nagaland government later formalized these dates as restricted holidays. The first common celebration hit the books in 1972.
Customs extend to personal lives and social bonds. Families formalize engagements during the event. They exchange meat and rice beer to seal the pact. Even the final day holds weight. It is a day of silence, intended to ward off evil spirits. The Sumi people avoid pounding rice or splitting wood during this final stretch.
Muru views these traditions as vital. He believes the youth must grasp the meaning behind these acts. Every practice holds a purpose. These rituals keep the Sumi identity alive for the next generation.
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