Thuni, the Chakhesang tribal festival will be celebrated from January 6 to 7 at Zhavame village under Phek district.
This festival is organised by Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) in collaboration with Nagaland’s tourism department with Razeba Public Organization (RPO) as the host.
Zhaleo Rio, advisor urban development & municipal affairs, Govt of Nagaland and Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, leader NPF Legislature Party will be the special guest and guest of honour respectively for Day one (January 6), starting from 10:00 AM onward.
The programme will start with village walk from Public Amphitheatre (Pame Tsiidu) to Local Ground to be led by Zhavame menfolk.
Apart from speeches of the special guests and guest of honour, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) president Medovi Rhi will also share greetings.
The programme will be chaired by CPO vice president Vecito Dozo.
The programme will be followed by Thuni feast and cultural competition to be led by Chakhesang Mothers’ Association (CMA) general secretary Kezevinuo Krome.
KG Kenye, minister for power & parliamentary affairs will be the chief host for January 7 cultural programme with Losu Dikho, MLA Manipur as the special guest and J. Kumo Sha, MLA Manipur as the guest of honour.
The programme will be chaired by Deo Movi, president RPO while welcome address will be delivered by CPO president Vezuhu Keyho.
Greetings will be shared by Kekhwengulo Lea, president Tenyimi Union Nagaland.
Thuni is a festival of New Harvest. It is celebrated by the Chakhesang tribe, predominantly by the people of Razeba Range under Phek district.
‘Thu’ literally means ‘new’ or ‘fresh’ and ‘ni’ stands for festival. Hence it is a celebration of new things whether it comes in the form of fruits, vegetables or paddy.
Thuni is a time when people offer their gratitude to the supreme God for blessing them with a bountiful harvest and good health all throughout the year.
Celebration of Thuni is preceded by pushing down of big pile of firewood (siikho) and subsequently making a bonfire out of it signifying originality, peace purity and equity.