Who Are the Sumi?
The Sumi (formerly known as Sema) are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group and one of the major Naga tribes, numbering approximately 170,000-200,000. They speak Sumi, a Tibeto-Burman language with its own orthography. The Sumi inhabit Zunheboto district in central Nagaland, along with parts of neighboring districts. They were historically renowned as fierce warriors and successful headhunters, with elaborate rituals and social distinctions tied to martial achievements. The Sumi converted to Christianity primarily in the 20th century, with the American Baptist mission being particularly influential. Today, Sumi society blends Christian practice with adapted traditional festivals and community structures.
Warrior Traditions
The Sumi developed elaborate systems of social status based on martial achievement. Headhunting was not merely warfare but a spiritual practice conferring power on the individual and community. Successful warriors earned the right to wear specific ornaments, tattoos, and ceremonial dress. Village gates displayed skulls as trophies. The akuzu (men's dormitory) served as a training ground where young men learned warfare, traditions, and community values. Feasts of merit—where wealthy men distributed resources—established leadership positions. These warrior traditions shaped Sumi masculinity and social organization, with echoes persisting in contemporary cultural celebrations despite the end of actual headhunting.
Tuluni Festival
Tuluni is the major Sumi festival, celebrated in July to mark the season when crops ripen and communities prepare for harvest. The festival features traditional songs, dances, and the sharing of Tuluni—a rice beer specially brewed for the occasion. Competitive games, including wrestling and other tests of strength, recall warrior traditions. The festival strengthens community bonds and provides occasion for courtship. Tuluni has been adapted to Christian contexts, with religious elements incorporated while maintaining traditional celebration. It has become a major event in Nagaland's festival calendar, attracting visitors and reinforcing Sumi cultural identity.
Contemporary Sumi
Modern Sumi participate actively in Nagaland's political and economic life. Zunheboto district, while not as developed as Kohima or Dimapur, has grown with schools, churches, and government offices. Agriculture—including rice, maize, and increasingly horticulture—remains important. Many Sumi serve in government positions, the armed forces, and professions throughout India. The Sumi Hoho (apex tribal body) coordinates community affairs and cultural preservation. Christianity profoundly shapes contemporary Sumi society, with churches central to community life. How the Sumi preserve warrior heritage in cultural memory while building modern livelihoods and maintaining Christian values defines their evolving identity.
References
- Hutton, J. H. (1921). The Sema Nagas
- Yepthomi, V. (2004). The Sumi Nagas: A Socio-Cultural Study
- Horam, M. (1988). Naga Insurgency