The three day long vibrant and colourful celebration of Yimkhiung tribal Tsungkamnyo festival concluded successfully with Dr. Sukhato. A. Sema, MLA as the special guest at Shamator on 17th January 2026. 

ISpeaking on the occasion, Dr. Sukhato said he is happy to grace the TSÜNGKAMNYO Festival, a vibrant traditions and heritage of the beloved Yimkhiung people, an important initiative of the Government of Nagaland. He said the idea behind Mini-Hornbill is simple but powerful – to take our rich Naga Heritages and Cultures closer to the people and give different communities a platform to present their traditions with pride and dignity. 

By showcasing the Tsüngkamnyo, the post-harvest winter festival, the MLA said we learnt and know that Tsüngkamnyuo comes at a meaningful time of the year. The harvest is over, the land rests and people finally have time to come together to celebrate and to strengthen relationships. It is a seasons of gratitude, harmony and generosity, he added .

For the Yimkhiung people, culture has always been carried through daily life – through customs, values, and oral tradions. The Yimkhiung dialect, spoken in homes and villages, carries stories, wisdom, and identity from one generation to the next. Tsüngkamnyo is one of those moments when all these come together naturally and beautifully, he said.

Sukhato also stated that our culture will survive when the younger generation carries it forward with understanding, not because they are forced to, but because they feel proud of it.

The MLA also appealed to the people to celebrate the festival with Fostering Social Cohesion, to Promote Harmony and Understanding, to Celebrate Diversity, and to Promote Economic Growth: 

Emphasising the cordial relationship between the Sumi Hoho and Yimkhiung Tribal, he said they have maintained strong ties since the 1940s, In 1960, the Gospel of Mark and later the Gospel of Matthew were translated into the Yimkhiung dialect with the support of the Sema Association. Marked by a Sumi Yimkhiung friendship meeting at Chessore Village in 1996 and a Sumi- Yimkhiung Cultural Exchange in 2017, the Yimkhiung-Sumi relationship evolved from village-level, trade and occupational conflict to peaceful coexistence shaped by Christianity, education, and modern governance, he added. 

He also sincerely acknowledge the Government of Nagaland under the dynamic and abled leadership of the Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio for continuing to support culture initiatives like the Mini-Hornbill Festival of every recognised Naga Tribes.

President Sumi Hohho, Dr. Vihuto Assumi, the tribal guest of the festival extended an invitation to the Yimkhiung Tribal Council in the forthcoming Ahuna, the premier Sumi festival.  He said he was deeply moved by the United spirit of Yimkhiung tribe and also appreciated the rich cultural and traditions of the Yimkhiung tribe. He also shared the age old friendship and brotherhood between Yimkhiungs and Sumi's, since time immemorial.  

Festival Host, S. Keoshu Yimkhiung, Advisor YRS thanked Dr. Sukhato A. Sema, Dr. Vihuto Assumi and his colleagues, and all the guests for making the festival a grand success. He also thanked Yimkhiung Tribal Council and organising team for systematic arrangements. He exhorted to look forward at the future with shared love and friendship starting from family and neighbours.

The state government is encouraging to organise mini hornbill to protect, preserve and to promote our cultural and traditional, and to create peaceful atmosphere in the region by extending invitation to one another. At the same time the Government aims to uplift young talented artists in different sectors, he said. 

He appealed to all citizens to be humble before God to live with peace and  harmony. He also encouraged the Churches to take part in construction of the society as the church is one of the most important pillar of the society.

The program was successfully concluded with beautiful cultural songs, folk fusion, harvesting act and with beautiful extravaganza show led by renowned artists Moko Koza, Sunnymongba,Toshi yimkhiung, Kams and many other young artists. K. Yimso Yimkhiung Chairman, Nagaland Building & Other Construction workers' Welfare Board graced the closing ceremony as the special invitee.

(L. Shahoto Yimchunger, IA Shamator)