Assam's Longtong village celebrates Tuluni festival with cultural performances and traditional rituals

The traditional Tuluni harvest festival of the Sümi Naga community was celebrated with enthusiasm and cultural fervour at the historic Longtong Sema Naga Village in Assam's Tinsukia district on Wednesday, bringing together community members, scholars, officials and visitors from different parts of the state.

The festival was organised by the Longtong Village Council at Longtong village, located in the Tirap Tribal Belt under the 83 Margherita Legislative Assembly constituency. The historic village is situated about 18 kilometres from the Margherita headquarters.

Observed annually on July 8, Tuluni is one of the most significant harvest festivals of the Sümi Naga community and is celebrated across Assam and other northeastern states where members of the community reside. The festival symbolises thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and promotes community bonding while preserving indigenous traditions and cultural heritage.

The celebrations commenced with an invocation prayer by Saikha Chishi, Pastor of Longtong SBC. Kasheto Sema, Gaon Pradhan of Longtong villages I and II, delivered the welcome address, while the Longtong Women's Group participated in the proceedings. Kahoto Sema, Chairman of the All Assam Sema Naga Council, spoke on the significance of the Tuluni festival.

The programme also featured demonstrations of traditional Sümi Naga fire-making techniques and the customary Lokivi Tuluni rituals. The event concluded with a benediction prayer by women pastor Vinitoli Yeptho.

Aduk Paron, an Indian Forest Service officer and Divisional Forest Officer of the Lohit Forest Division, Tezu, attended the programme as the guest of honour.

Among the other dignitaries present were Dr. Ansai B. Basumatary and Dr. Manoj Dutta of Dibrugarh University, along with 34 students from the university's Centre of Social Studies. Representatives from various organisations also attended the event, including Pallab Shyam Wailung, General Secretary of the Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee, Singpho National Council Chairman Senggam Labram, and Hari Pradhan, Commandant and Lieutenant Colonel.

More than 300 people, including local residents and visitors from different parts of Assam, participated in the celebrations, reflecting the festival's growing significance as a platform for preserving and promoting the cultural traditions of the Sümi Naga community.