Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 5
Kezoma village representing Angami Naga performed Luda & Thulo (Traditional Games) on Day 5 of Cultural Connect at Hornbill Festival 2022 in Kisama. The two most common indigenous games of Southern Angami villages are ‘Luda’ and ‘Thulo.’ Luda is the indigenous game played solely by the men folk of the village. Luda game is played for entertainment, to develop a sense of brotherhood and also to develop strong arms.
The material used for playing the game is called Olu, extracted from the plant Olu Pii, scientifically known as Panicum Virgatum (Switchgrass), which is around 180 cm in length and approximately 1 cm in diameter. Fresh Olu or switchgrass is cut down during its prime season in the month of October and November and is dried above the fire place or is sun dried. The Switchgrass/Olu, in its natural state is not stiff or straight while very straight or stiffened Switchgrass/Olu is required to play the game. Therefore, the process of straightening Switchgrass requires a lot of careful labour. Warm ash is taken from the kitchen hearth and placed in an open space to give heat treatment to the switchgrass to straighten it. The more straightened it is the better for the game.
During the process of refining Olu, no person is allowed to jump over it and no girls are allowed to touch the Olu as it is considered a bad omen for the player. In Olu Da, the game is played between two opposing groups with any number of players equal on both sides. Olu Da is played by young energetic man while Olu Mehe is played by elderly men who have less strength and stamina than the younger men.
Luda is played from the month of January to February and the game is closed with ritual - ‘Tsaboye’ (Beginning of sowing season).
