HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, July 8: Tuloni festival which is the largest and greatest festival of Sema Naga community people residing all over the world was celebrated on Saturday at Longtong village under Margherita sub division of Tinsukia district.
Longtong village of Sema Naga community is 21 kilometres away from Margherita headquarter.
Tuloni festival programme begins with opening prayer by child pastor followed by various cultural and traditional Sema naga dance,songs, couple fashion show various sports events from small children to old people.
Kahoto Sema president of All Assam Sema Naga Council said that our forefathers were brought by British authorities in the interest and services to British India in the year 1881.
Our forefathers had responded to the call of duty and had moved out from NEFA,NAGA hills to the present locations to work at Assam Railway and Trading Company, oil exploration, brick kiln, land and forest survey, to clear deep reserve forest, to construct historical stillwell road in the year 1942 from Ledo to Pangsau Pass to Kumming in China as we are original inhabitants of our motherland Assam but then also Sema Naga community people are deprived from their basic rights as many of our of land has been illegally encroached said Kahoto Sema.
Tuloni festival is the most sacred and holy festival of Sema Naga community people celebrated every year at Longtong village under Margherita sub division of Tinsukia district as this festival marks the beginning of new season, harvesting of new crops and victory of war as this festival is marked with beasts as this festival occurs in the beautiful season of the year said Kahoto Sema.
“Tuloni” is called Anni the word which denotes the season of plentiful crops and this festival mend broken relationship and celebrates togetherness, unity and harmony, eating and merry making among all section of people said Kahoto Sema.
Shitoi Sema Chairman of Longtong village Council said that like every year Tuloni festival is celebrated at Longtong village which on behalf of all Sema Naga community people residing at Margherita sub division we request Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to recognise Tuloni festival and declare July 8 as restricted holiday to celebrate Tuloni festival with great enthusiasm and gaiety.