Kezoma Village, under Kohima District is organizing the 1st edition of Ochü Millet Festival on August 30 at the village ground. The event is jointly being organized by the Kezoma Village Council in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland and Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland.

Y Vikheho Swu, President, NDPP, Agri & Allied Organization and Managing Director, Okusa Toyota will be the special guest.

During the festival, millet and other organic vegetables produced by the Village will be sold along with other activities. The millet available during the sale at the festival has been harvested in the month of July, this year.

Millet is one of the earliest crops harvested by the villagers, who, upon gathering the yield, offer it in reverence to the spirits and mark the occasion with a festival of celebration called Chünyi by the villagers.

Chünyi is observed for two days, the first day being called Kide (Kizie: day of rituals) and the second day Kreuo zha (day of rest and celebration).

The villagers celebrate Chünyi every year towards the end of July and extend into the beginning of August. Another significant aspect of the festival is that it is believed to bring rain to begin paddy cultivation. It was often said that in the past, neighbouring villages of Kezoma would ask the village to observe Chunyi in order to pray for rainfall.

Among the many festivals celebrated throughout the year, Chünyi is not just an important festival but one celebrated with great vigour, keeping in mind that it is observed right after the millets are harvested.

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During the festival, all households slaughter a dog or piglet and relinquish the meat to replenish one’s physical strength and nourish one’s health after the abundant harvest.

Today, while the traditional rituals no longer being practiced, the festival continues to be observed as a way of preserving cultural heritage and passing it on to younger generations.