Ahuna Festival celebrated by Sumi community in Nagaland

Kohima: Awotsakilimi Union Dimapur (AUD) along with their in-laws celebrated the Ahuna Festival at Purana Bazar hosted by Director, Directorate of Industries and Commerce, P Tokugha Achumi.

Delivering the welcome address, Achumi thanked the Sümi ancestors for starting the Ahuna Festival addding that celebrating this festival, it is still relevant to their present society. He stressed on the importance of preserving their cultural heritage and expounded that people who have lost their culture have lost their identity.

Er. Kihoto Achumi spoke on the significance of Ahuna Festival. “Though the practices and rituals pertaining to Ahuna Festival might vary from village to village, one village cannot tell the other that their practices are erroneous and inaccurate” he asserted.

Giving importance to maintain the continuity of customs and traditions especially for the younger generations, he also displayed the intricacies of how Ahuna is cooked.
Mughato Achumi also exhorted the members and encouraged the members to maintain integrity in their lives.

The celebration commenced with invocation by lecturer, Mission India Bible College, Hoho Shikhu, and prayer of blessing by pastor SBC Diphupar, Nikhui Achumi. Chaired by AUD chairman Akheto Achumi and recorded by AUD secretary Inato Y Shikhu, the celebration was attended by over 300 people.

Sumi community in Mokokchung celebrated Ahuna Festival with pomp and gaiety at the campus of GHS Mokokchung with general secretary CEB, NDPP Nagaland, Vitoho A. Zhimomi, as the Ahuna guest.

Speaking at the programme, Zhimomi emphasized on the importance of unity and cooperation among the diverse communities living together in Mokokchung.

He cited the example of different clans living harmoniously in a single village and stressed the need for similar unity among the various tribes in Mokokchung and also gave a brief history of how Sumi’s came to Mokokchung and settled.

He further stressed about the brotherhood between Aos and Sumis, adding that the bond shared between the two communities will grow stronger in the future. Talking about Ahuna, Zhimomi highlighted the significance of the festival as a celebration of the Sumi community’s rich cultural heritage.

He encouraged the community to strive for unity, cooperation, and mutual respect, not just among themselves but also with other tribes. The festival was marked by cultural songs and dances performed by various groups and individuals and display of various indigenous games.

It also witnessed presentation of a folk/war dance by the SKKM, a folk song by the fathers and demonstrated the preparation of Ahuna. Liju Achumi also presented a special song. Besides, traditional games including top spinning, yodelling and Angu Kupusu (Spear kicking) were also displayed.

The vote of thanks was delivered by convener of the organizing committee, Martin Chishi.
The festival was attended by Sumi community in Mokokchung, representatives of Ao Senden, AKM, ENPU Mokokchung and in-laws.