A festival of feast and merry-making to mark the end of dry season and the beginning of new fruits, known as the Tuluni festival in Nagaland, is celebrated by different clans of Sumi tribe across the state on July 8.
Tuluni festival exhibits great importance to the Sumi Nagas of Nagaland. The Sumi people reside in parts leaning towards NorthEast India. Tuluni is one among many popular festivals of Nagaland and is of superior adherence to the Sumi people. People usually celebrate this festival with pompous gusto. The tribes of Nagaland take great efforts and pride in celebrating their harvest and seasonal festivals. A festival is always in order before and after every harvest season. Tuluni is a harvest festival of the Sumi tribe. People who work effortlessly in farms throughout the year relax during this festival and celebrate with delight. It is in the Sumi culture to arrange betrothal of young couples during the festival. The remainder of the festival is celebrated in the heavy observance and execution of various age old rituals and ceremonies.
The important festival was marked by prayers and offerings to Litsaba – the deity of fruitfulness who gives life and protection to the crops. Tuluni is a grand day for people and farmers who work effortlessly on farms throughout the year. The Tuluni festival symbolizes fraternity, solidarity, sharing and oneness not only among the Sumi community but Nagas as a whole.
