Officials and others during the Ahuna cum Mini Hornbill Festival 2026 at Suruhuto Town on November 14. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | November 14
Nagaland Minister for Roads and Bridges G Kaito Aye on Saturday urged the Naga society to look beyond the Indo-Naga political movement of the 1950s and 1960s and focus on the challenges and opportunities ahead, stressing that unity must remain the foundation of collective progress.
Addressing the concluding day of the three-day Ahuna cum Mini Hornbill Festival 2026, Aye said, “Our focus should not be on revisiting the past again and again, but on preparing and working today for the challenges that lie ahead. It is time we start talking about our tomorrow, where unity remains our only hope.”
The festival, organised by the Sümi Hoho and hosted by the Suruhuto Area Public Organisation, was held on November 8, 13 and 14, with the final day featuring the second edition of the Sümi–Yimkhiung Cultural Exchange. The Yimkhiung Tribal Council attended as the Special Tribal Guest.
Describing Ahuna as a celebration of the agricultural heritage of both communities, Aye said the festival revived the age-old practice of giving thanks for the harvest and provided a platform to preserve ancestral values while strengthening friendship, mutual respect and unity.
Expressing concern over the growing influence of alcohol, drugs and anti-social activities among sections of the younger generation, the Minister called upon the Sümi and Yimkhiung communities to collectively confront these challenges and ensure a safer future for coming generations. He stressed that addressing these issues required the collective involvement of families, churches, community institutions, civil society organisations and public leaders.
Highlighting the importance of dignity of labour, honesty and hard work, Aye encouraged people to sustain themselves through agriculture and other productive livelihoods, and cautioned against excessive dependence on government welfare schemes, stating such assistance might not continue indefinitely.
Referring to the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), he appealed to it to remain sincere and committed to ensuring fair and equitable distribution of economic packages among all tribes and ministries, saying equitable sharing of resources would enable communities to progress together.
He also appealed to Naga stakeholders to work towards establishing a common platform that could collectively represent the aspirations of the Naga people, and spoke against the growing influence of money culture in electoral politics, particularly within the Sümi community, urging citizens to choose representatives based on merit, vision and commitment to public welfare.
Speaking at the cultural exchange, S Keoshu Yimchunger, MLA and Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, called upon the Sümi and Yimkhiung communities to preserve their longstanding relationship of brotherhood, mutual protection and shared sacrifices, recalling the historical ties between the two communities during the early years of the Naga political movement.
He said members of the Yimkhiung community had faced hardships and made sacrifices during the Indo-Naga movement, while the Sümi community extended protection and assistance to them, and appealed to the Sümi people to continue upholding this spirit of brotherhood.
Referring to Article 371A of the Constitution, Yimchunger highlighted the importance of protecting special constitutional provisions concerning Nagaland, particularly ownership and transfer of land and its resources, while urging people to utilise available land and resources for the collective benefit of the Naga community.
Reflecting on Nagaland's economic challenges, he expressed concern over the absence of adequate manufacturing industries and revenue-generating establishments in the state, questioning how the economy could become self-sustaining when Nagaland lacked even basic manufacturing facilities.
He also raised concerns over election expenditure and the influence of money in electoral politics, stating that the Sümi tribe recorded among the highest election expenditures among tribes in Nagaland, and challenged the community to take the lead in bringing about meaningful electoral reforms, appealing for vote-buying-free 2028 elections.
S Kiusumew Yimchunger, MLA and Advisor for Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards & Civil Defence, and Relief & Rehabilitation, also highlighted the historical relationship between the two communities, recalling their earlier connections and the changes that had taken place over generations, and expressed hope that the bond would continue to be nurtured for future generations.
In his presidential address, Dr Vihuto Asumi, President of the Sümi Hoho, described Ahuna as one of the most cherished festivals of the Sümi people, celebrated annually on November 14 to mark the completion of the agricultural season and the gathering of the harvest, involving the cooking of newly harvested rice in freshly cut bamboo and sharing the meal among family and community members.
Identifying the Sümi–Yimkhiung Cultural Exchange as the most significant feature of the 2026 celebration, Asumi said the history of friendship between the two communities could be traced back to the 1930s, and recalled that the first edition of the exchange programme was held at Chessore on January 16, 2017.
He encouraged regular engagement among the youth, women, churches, tribal organisations and community institutions of both communities, saying the Naga people did not have to abandon their individual tribal identities to build strong relationships with other communities.
S Toiho Yeptho, Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Chief Host, acknowledged the organisations and communities for bringing the two communities together and called for the relationship to be strengthened through continued unity and cooperation.
Akükatou Khehovi Chophi, President of the Western Sumi Kukami Hoho, expressed concern that the formation of numerous unions and associations had at times created misconceptions and divisions within the Sümi community, and called upon the people to look beyond such divisions and stand together.
H Akiumong Yim, President of the Western Yimkhiung Hoho, reiterated that the relationship between the two communities was unique and should not be influenced by outside considerations, and stressed the need to carry it forward through mutual acceptance, respect and understanding.
Earlier, the programme featured the unveiling of a plaque by Throngso Yimkhiung, President of the Yimkhiung Tribal Council, followed by a prayer by Vitoxu Pucho, Pastor of NCRC Suruhuto. The formal proceedings included an invocation by Vikaho Zhimomi, Pastor of Suruhuto Town New Baptist Church, and a welcome song by the Tichipami Women Folk.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Akükau Hetoho Zhimomi, President of the Sumi Kukami Hoho, followed by cultural presentations by various Sümi cultural troupes.
