Tuluni Festival Nagaland

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. Various things are prepared like rice wine and beer. Animals are slaughtered for meat which is then used in feasts and parties. People allow themselves to drink to their heart’s content. Goblets are crafted out of plantation leaves to serve home prepared rice beer. Gifts and ornate tokens are exchanged and appreciation is expressed. The festival celebrates the joy of people for a very fruitful season. Prayers are initiated and Gods are presented with beer prepared out of rice. Food is also given as offering on leaves.

History of the Festival

The festival is celebrated after the sowing season is done with and people let loose their joy over the productive season. It is a time when people share and feast. People also help the poor with gifts and food. Tuluni festival observes the betrothal of young couples. Arrangement of wedding ties during this festival is considered ideal and is believed to bring good luck. People express rejoice through dancing and singing. Youths partake in sports and cultural dances. Folk songs are sung. Indigenous sports are organized. Necessary rituals are performed. Feasts are arranged and prayers are said. Tuluni festival is another tourism attraction within Nagaland.

Duration of the Festival

The festival is celebrated over seven consecutive holidays. It is celebrated each year by different clans of the Sumi tribe in Nagaland. The festival starts on 8th July after a satisfying sowing of crops in the fields.

Highlights/ Important Rituals of the Festival

• The rituals of the festival vary depending on the clans.
• Both the Sumi and Tukumi clan have slight differences in the observation of the rituals.
• For the Sumi Nagas, Tuluni is of utmost importance in terms concerning festivals and hence the festivities are garnered with grandiose.
• Rice wine is prepared by the people.
• This wine is better known as ‘Tuluni’.
• Tuluni has an alternative word known as ‘anni’
• Rice wine is an important part of the festival and hence people do not shy away from drinking on this occasion.
• People are fed generously during the inherent festival.
• A pig is slaughtered in preparation of the feast.
• Offering are made to god in form constituted as rice, meat and wine.
• Prayers are said to the deity ‘Litsaba’ who is the giver of fruitfulness. People appeal for their lands and lives to be blessed with fruition, prosperity and longevity.
• The duration the festival is considered very auspicious and social happening take place.
• Marriages consisting young people are fixed. Whereas people who have been engaged beforehand get married.
• Engaged couples invite each other to their parent’s home and exchange gifts.
• People rest and spend the course of the festival engaging in singing old folk songs, performing colorful traditional dances, participating in sports and indigenous games.