Artistes perform at Ahuna festival in Dimapur on Wednesday. (PTI)
Kohima, Nov 15 : The Sumi community today celebrated Ahuna, the post-harvest festival.
In Dimapur, over 20,000 people
participated in the celebration at Dimapur District Sports Complex where
governor Nikhil Kumar was the chief guest.
Hosts of top government officials and
representatives from several Naga and non-Naga organisations attended
the celebration. It was organised by Western Sumi Youth Front. A
community feast was also organised after the cultural programme,
including mithun procession on the streets.
At Zunheboto, over 10,000 people attended
the Ahuna-cum-Youth Expo where minister for roads and bridges G. Kaito
Aye was the chief guest.
The guest of honour was leader of the
Opposition Tokheho Yepthomi. Dozens of young Naga entrepreneurs
participated in the expo that began yesterday.
Governor Nikhil Kumar, chief minister
Neiphiu Rio, former Congress president and veteran legislator K.V. Pusa
and several organisations greeted the Sumi community on Ahuna festival.
In Kohima, several programmes were organised in different areas.
The Sumi community celebrates Ahuna
regularly as a community festival in diverse forms. In reality, it is
more a religious rite than a festival.
Although Ahuna is observed on a single day, its preparation is a long process.
It commences from the first harvest day to transportation of paddy on festival day.
Superstitious beliefs and strict religious discipline is maintained leading to abstinence from certain diet and habits.
Traditionally, celebration of Ahuna
festival varies between two major clans of Sumi community — Tuku and
Swu. Tukus are said to be liberal in ritual. Swus are more conservative
and religious.