Delano lived in the mission from 1949 to 1955 until his family and he were asked to leave by the Indian government who expelled all the missionaries from the Naga Hills.
Their origins are rooted in the broader history of Naga tribes, who are believed to have migrated from regions in present-day Myanmar into Northeast India.
There are also sizable inhabitants of Sümi descents in Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Niuland and in some parts of Kiphire, mokokchung and wokha district.
[4] Oral traditions among the Sumi recount their migration from Khezhakeno, a village considered a common point of origin for several Naga tribes.
[5] Historically, the Sumi were known for their warrior traditions, including headhunting, a practice common among Naga tribes before the advent of Christianity in the region.
[6] Today, the Sumi are recognized for their rich cultural heritage, including vibrant festivals like Tuluni, which celebrates the completion of the sowing season and prays for a bountiful harvest.
Even siblings of the families of both the bride and groom exchange dinner and packed food and meats - wrapped the traditional way in plantain leaves.
For this festival, the farmer groups (also called Aloji) pool in money or other resources together to exchange/buy pigs and cows to be slaughtered for the special day.
In modern times, friends and members from other ethnic groups and communities are invited to attend the feast and are entertained with a variety of traditional songs and dances, they are also served with sumptuous authentic Sümi cuisine of smoked pork and axone with local herbs and vegetables.
On this occasion, the entire community prepares and feasts on the first meal of rice drawn from the season's harvest cooked in bamboo segments.
The receptacles for cooking or serving on this occasion are freshly made, curved or cut, from locally available resources prolific and abundant in the countryside.
[8] Ahuna is celebrated on 13 and 14 November and now holds the status of the official festival of the Sümi Nagas because it falls in a dry season and accessibility for visitors in terms of road conditions are better.