HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, July 8: The historic Longtong Sema village under the 83rd Margherita constituency in Tinsukia district celebrated the traditional Tuluni Festival on Tuesday with grandeur and cultural pride.
Organised by the All Assam Sema Naga Council, the agriculture-based festival—central to the Sema community—began with a felicitation ceremony, followed by the inauguration of various cultural programmes by Sema people from Paharpur, Lalpahar, Saliki, Balijan, Tinkupather, and Longtong Sema village.
Tuluni, celebrated with enthusiasm and devotion, reflects the Sema community’s deep agricultural roots.
The festival centres on prayers for protection of crops and harvests from natural calamities and symbolises unity, faith, brotherhood, and affection.
Women of the community presented traditional songs associated with weaving and agricultural work, captivating the audience with their performances.
The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia, NEC CIL Margherita General Manager K Mere, and Dr G Kanato Chophy, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Dibrugarh University, along with leaders from various communities.
Over 3,000 members of the Sema community from the constituency took part.
On the occasion, the Tuluni Festival Celebration Committee submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through MLA Bolin Chetia, urging the declaration of July 8 as a state holiday in honour of the Tuluni Festival.