Dimapur, July 5 (EMN): Tuluni, a premier festival of Sumi Nagas, was observed in Niuland town on July 5 with the Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) of nagaland, Kikheto Sema, as the “Tuluni papuh” (Tuluni father) on the theme “Our culture, our identity.”
Addressing the gathering, Kikheto Sema stated that Tuluni, like any other festivals celebrated by the Sumis, is also related to agriculture and added that in the past, Tuluni was observed four months after the seeds are sown. He informed that Tuluni, in the past, was observed for a week with each day having its own significance and with great hardship and toil, the harvest is reaped during the harvest festival of “Ahuna.”
He, however, expressed concern on the fast vanishing age-old practices in the modern era. In order to preserve the culture and tradition, he has urged to start working by sowing seeds during Tuluni and enjoy the harvest during Ahuna season.
On the creation and establishment of Niuland district, the APC urged the citizens of newly inaugurated Niuland district to set a vision for the district for the next ten years and even beyond to make the district a model habitat for its residents.
Kikheto said that the creation of Niuland district was a result of the efforts and vision put in by the pioneers and the British administration in the past as well as the sincerity shown by Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, his cabinet and elected representatives from Dimapur district.
The APC, however, stated that the change in administrative headquarters to that of a district will not change unless the citizens of the district change one’s mindset and strive to be much better than what it is today.
“We need to transform from normal Niuland to a better Niuland, normal Sumi to a better Sumi, normal Naga to a better Naga,” he said.
He suggested that the citizens of Niuland should thoroughly deliberate on envisioning what Niuland should be five to ten years from now. For this, he suggested organising workshop or seminar involving all legislators, like-minded people, business persons, Sumi architect and town planners, village elders from neighbouring villages, church leaders, women and student leaders on the theme “Vision 2032 for Niuland.”
The two-day Tuluni festival is being organised by Niuland Area Students’ Union and Niuland Area Sumi Totimi Loka. Cultural presentations from children ministry, SBAN (Aphilo Kuwo), Yeveto village (Thishole) and special presentation by Ni-Ghakutsa Lejo were the highlights of the festival. The festival concluded with a Tuluni feast which was sponsored by Tuluni papuh and his family.
The APC was accompanied by host of officers from Agriculture and other departments, church leaders, elders from Western Sumi area and student leaders.