Covenant Institute of Theology and Mission
Dimapur: Nagaland
Assignment
On
The Festivals of Kuki Tribe
Submitted to,
Lecturer: Miss Nonjai
In the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the course of
“Tribal Theology”
Signature:
Mary Kuki
B.Th 3rd year
1st semester
Date: 06/09/23
Introduction
Festival of Kuki Tribe are one of the most important aspects of the social life of the Kuki tribes.
Festivals have been an integral part of the Indian culture that reflects the colors of the land. The festival
of the Kuki tribe mainly include, Lawm-Siel-Kai, Mimkut and Chavang Kut and there are many more but
I will be dealing only two Festivals that is Mimkut and Chavang Kut. ‘Chavang Kut’ (Paddy Kut), is
celebrated on the 1st of November to honor the blessings of the deity for good harvest every year. Minkut
is the harvest festival. Kukis of Nagaland celebrate this festival on the 17 th of Tolbol (January) every year.
The celebration lasts one week.
1. Chavang Kut
Kut festival or Chavang Kut is one of the most celebrated festivals. Celebrated by the tribes of
Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups, Chavang Kut is a festival which is observed with so much zeal and joyousness.
However, during the festival, the people of Kuki-Chin-Mizo come together to commemorate this amazing
fiesta. The festival is observed to mark the end of the harvesting season and also to thank deities for a
good harvest season. Therefore, the Kut mean ‘harvest’. In the earlier days, the Kut festival used to last a
number of days and many rituals were also used to perform. After the main rites, the village priest used to
distribute ju (rice beer) to the locals. The celebration also included the dancing and singing along with the
sports competitions and feasts.
However, festival underwent a few changes after the influence of Christianity and cultures of
outside worlds. Even after the fact that Kuki people have converted themselves into Christianity, the
festival is still celebrate by them to commemorate a higher being for the bestowing a good harvest.
However, in the present days, this beautiful Kut festival is celebrated on the first day of November month.
During this time, the farmers gather their whole harvest and rejoice for the accomplishment of a good
crop. One of the major attraction of this festival is the Miss Kut Beauty Pageant which also includes many
performance from various artists, the Pageant is organized on a large scale and is attended by notable
personalities of the state.
2. Mim Kut Festival
The origin of Mim Kut festival has its ties connected to the Kuki story of “Mim”. The original
story explores the love and bond of two brothers when they were abandoned by their mother. Lendou and
his younger brother shared a piece of Mim when their stomachs were wrought with hunger. It was Mim
that got them through these hard times, brought them closer and taught them love. Mim is the last harvest
of the year in the Kuki society. The people summon their deceased ancestors and pay their respects on
this days. They offer tokens of maize, jewelry, clothing, bread and rice wine. Half of the harvest is
dedicated and offered to the dead souls. It is customary to do so but not really mandatory. The soul of
ancestors that have passed away are presumed to return to their homes during this festival.
The festival is observed in the 17 th month of January after the crop is harvested. It is celebrated
every year. The festivities are celebrated for two consecutive holidays.
2.1 Important rituals of Kut festival
a) The kuki people carry out ceremonies to honor age old traditions of this important Kuki festival.
b) They also pay homage to the souls of their deceased ancestors.
c) There are extravagant dance performance and singing performed by cultural groups from
different villages with a religious edge to them. large traditional drums, long horns and other
conventional instruments are used to produce a harmonized cacophous music.
d) The Kuki people exhibit their ethnic culture through art work that represents their roots.
e) There numerous games, contests, fashion shows, talent hunts, voice hunt and other fun
competition and activities along with musical rock concerts, food stalls, fairs and sports.
Conclusion
Over all the festival of the kuki tribe mark the small and large celebrations that exist in the
community. These can be considered to be the main source of refreshment for the people of the
community who depend on these celebration in a great way. The Kuki people have unique identify found
in their everyday traditional, festival, custom, culture, art and crafts and institutions like Som and Lom.
