Khukhu Nye: How a Nagaland village celebrates women

In August, or Türhi as it is called here, the Chakhesang community in Porba village observes Khukhu Nye. Ushered in by the full moon, the festival celebrates girls and women who are yet to be married. On the day of the festival, unmarried women and girls play games, eat, sing, dance, share stories, and make merry.

The venue is decorated with banana leaves, ginger lilies, and other foliage and blooms. Khukhu Nye traces its origin to a folktale about Thüyipü, a woman who descended from heaven and was forced into marriage by a man. Thüyipü managed to return to heaven on the promise that she…