Citizens of Zhavame dwelling in Dimapur celebrated Thuni festival under the theme, “Celebrating culture through peace and prosperity” at Zhavame Community Hall, Sovima Village, Dimapur, Wednesday.
In a press release, media team Thuni Feast 2022 stated that host of the feast, NDPP Phek region president, Mosonyi Domeh highlighted how Thuni festival, a festival of the Poumai community residing in Razeba range, was included in the restricted holiday list in the government calendar.
He acknowledged the past leaders of the community for spearheading the initiative to include Thuni festival among the Chakhesang festivals in 2016 and beyond.
Domeh exhorted the community not only to continue celebrating Thuni festival in the same manner but to make it even bigger in the years to come. He emphasized the importance of one’s identity and mother tongue especially with young children residing in towns and cities.
Taking this occasion of thanking for the bountiful harvest and imploring choicest on the new season, he challenged the people to forgive and forget, be united steadfastly and work tirelessly for the interest of the people.
Convenor of Thuni feast, Reo Dukru gave the welcome address, chairman of Zhavame Union Dimapur (ZUD) Movi delivered the keynote address while advisor ZUD Rapri Pohena shared the background and celebration of Thuni.
The celebration began with an invocation by pastor Chakhesang Baptist Church Toulazouma, Mosa Nukhu, Parish Priest St Joseph Chumoukedima, Rev Fr Rozii Anthony Dukru blessed the new office bearers for the tenure 2022-24 to be headed by Neilakhotuo Shupao as chairman and former pastor Siba Krocha pronounced the benediction.
Special folk tunes were performed by the youth, women and men group. A host of special attractions of greased bamboo pole climbing, tug of war between married men and youths and lucky draw stole the crowd’s attention after the programme.
Zhavame Unions in Kohima, Phek and Pfutsero, Zelome Union Dimapur, Tsiipfiime Union Dimapur, Razeba Public Organization Dimapur unit and the Village Council team Zhavame also partook in the celebration.