Sumi and Yimkhiung communities renew friendship at Tsüngkamnyo Mini Hornbill Festival 2026.
Share
KOHIMA — Along with the Tsüngkamnyo Mini Hornbill Festival 2026, a special event to renew friendship between the Sumi and Yimkhiung communities was held on Saturday at Shamator, with MLA Sukhato A Sema as the special guest and Vihuto Assumi, president of Sümi Hoho, as tribal guest.
The programme was hosted by S Keoshu Yimkhiung, Advisor of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland.
The closing ceremony of the Tsüngkamnyo Mini Hornbill Festival 2026 was celebrated with cultural splendour and a strong message of unity.
Speaking at the programme, MLA Sukhato appreciated the Tsüngkamnyo festival celebration, describing the Mini Hornbill Festival as a meaningful initiative to bring Naga heritage and culture closer to the people
He reminded that Tsüngkamnyo, celebrated after the harvest season, symbolises gratitude, harmony, generosity and togetherness where communities come together to share food, songs, dances, and strengthen social bonds.
Also read: Sangphur village hosts Tsüngkamnyo festival
He shared that Yimkhiung culture has always been preserved through daily life, customs, values, and oral traditions, and stressed the importance of the younger generation carrying forward their heritage with pride and understanding.
Sharing his experience, the MLA opined that the wisdom passed down by elders and traditions often guides people during life’s most challenging moments.
Sukhato further outlined key roles of festivals in society, including fostering social cohesion, promoting harmony and understanding, celebrating diversity, and contributing to economic growth by attracting visitors and supporting local livelihoods.
He remarked that Tsüngkamnyo is not merely a festival but a social institution that transforms harvest into harmony and tradition into living memory.
He also recalled the long-standing historical relationship between the Sumi and Yimkhiung communities, citing some milestones such as the translation of the Gospels into the Yimkhiung dialect with Sumi support, the Sumi–Yimkhiung friendship meeting at Chessore Village in 1996, and the cultural exchange programme in 2017, noting that these events reflect cooperation shaped by Christianity, education, and modern governance.
Read more: Nagaland CM Rio graces Tsüngkamnyo Mini Hornbill, inaugurates DC office complex in Shamator
He appreciated advisor Keoshu for hosting the Mini Hornbill Festival in the new district of Shamator, stating that such support demonstrates genuine concern for youth, culture, and identity.
Additionally, he acknowledged the Government of Nagaland under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for its continued commitment to promoting cultural initiatives of all recognised Naga tribes.
To the youths, the MLA urged them to remain rooted in values such as respect, integrity, compassion, and unity while embracing education and opportunities in a fast-changing world.
He further called upon elders and leaders to guide young people with patience and wisdom, stressing that progress and tradition grow strongest when they move together.
Vihuto Assumi, in his short sharing, also announced that Sumi and Yimkhiung communities have agreed to organise a friendship event once every three years, to be held alternately at Zunheboto and Shamator headquarters, to further strengthen bonds and mutual understanding.
The programme also featured heritage presentations, including Khungpi by Hanjila S (Shamator town), Athrong Khün by Khongsa village, and Yimlukhi Yakli Huhpü by Tsasher village, showcasing the living cultural heritage of the Yimkhiung people.
Cultural performances and folk song by Chessore village and a folk fusion presentation by Fusion Ensemble enthralled the audience, reflecting the richness of Yimkhiung traditions.
It may be noted that the event marked the culmination of days of cultural showcases, traditional performances, and inter-community interaction under the Mini Hornbill initiative of the Government of Nagaland.