Sumi Community & People of Nagaland Celebrated Ahuna Festival
The Sumi Nagas celebrated ‘Ahuna’, the premier festival of the tribe.
Members of Sumi Community Nahabali East Dimapur (SCNED) celebrated the Ahuna festival of Sumi people with traditional fervor at the official residence of SCNED Chairman Phoishe Zimomi on Sunday.Villagers, young and old, dress in colorful clothes and participate in post-harvest festivals and perform many traditional Sumi performances.Speaking at the festival, Phushito Aye spoke about the importance of Ahuna Festival, asking that the rich culture and traditions should not only be preserved but also be passed on to the youth.During the meeting, traditional entertainment activities such as women’s “aphilo kuo”, traditional spinning competition, and men’s “Lejole” fascinated the participating members. “Ahuna” – rice cooked with bamboo slices is also available.GBs, representatives and leaders from other districts in Nahabali participated in the event. Earlier, SBANED Pastor Yekuto Shohe delivered the prayer while NCRC Purana Bazar Pastor Dr. Nitoshe Nekha gave the blessing.SCNED Vice Chairman Ghohezhe Achumi chaired the program and SCNED Chairman Phoishe Zimomi delivered the vote of thanks. After the project ended, the villagers joined the Ahuna group.
The event was organised by the Sumi Students’ Union Guwahati on November 10. Commissioner & Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Y Kikheto Sema was the chief guest of the event.
Addressing the gathering, Sema highlighted the significance and relevance of Ahuna festival in the 21st century, stating that 71% of the Naga people live in rural areas and are engaged in unique jhum cultivation with 11-12 phases of activities in a year.
Sema said that like the “Ahuna”, the Assamese and Lothas also celebrates Magh Bihu/ Bhogali Bihu and Tokhu Emong as a post-harvest festival. The Sumis celebrate Ahuna after a year-long hard work to thank the almighty for the bountiful harvest while also welcoming the new agricultural year.
Everyone in the village eats ajunami, the earliest rice cooked with bamboo.
Commenting on this subject, Sema says that pruning is the removal of useless branches from a tree and the wrapping of all useful branches. He encouraged his classmates to study hard and achieve success.
Explaining the importance of Ahuna and the traditions of the ancestors, Sema said that while farmers celebrate the festival after working hard for a whole year, students learn to succeed.
He believes that there is a need to change traditions that do not work today, but at the same time there is a need to preserve traditions and respect other cultures rather than copy them. “Misuse of our culture and identity of foreigners in our country is unacceptable,” Sema said.
Noting the wealth and heritage of the Nagas and wanting to preserve them, Sema said the government has promoted the state as a “festival” Home,” which has been a success in the country, especially the Hornbill Festival.
