Kohima, July 19 : Tuluni festival, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of one of the largest tribes of Nagaland, was recently celebrated here with much pomp and gaiety.

It is a festival of the Sumi Naga tribe to celebrate a good harvest. All tribes participate in the annual get together, which ends with community feasting.

"We have come out here and met old friends which, is typical of Tuluni. You meet old friends and family members," said Kito Swu, a resident.

The festival is celebrated in the second week of July after the sowing is complete. It is a festival invoking God to shower blessings for a bountiful harvest. It is also a time of peace and reconciliation.

"We observe the day as a peace day. We celebrate with food. Enmities are forgotten, as this is also a day of reconciliation. This is the real meaning of the Tuluni festival. We celebrate it in a big way and also pray for God''s blessings," said Pukhato Shohe, a Sumi Naga.

During the festival, a goblet is made with the leaf of plantain, to serve the rice beer.

Tuluni is the name of this wine that is consumed by the Sumi tribe. "Anni'' is another name for ''Tuluni'' meaning the season of plenteous crops.

To make the celebrations much more joyous, it is during the festival that the fiancé is invited over to the finacee''s place and the young couples exchange gifts.

Engaged couples get married and start their new lives and all are fed lavishly with meat and other delicious food.

There are folk songs and ballads that are sung to keep the spirit of the festival high. (ANI)