Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2023)

Mim Kut Festival is a post-harvest festival celebrated in Nagaland, North East India, and also in other parts of Mizoram. The festival is celebrated and honored by the Kukis. It is one of the many popular festivals in North-East India. The celebration is ostentatious and is of important essence to the Kuki tribe. It expresses exhilaration and triumph over the harvest of Mim (Ancient Grain/Sorghum), which is the last harvest crop for the season. The festival celebrates the harvest of maize in particular. The Mim Kut Festival celebrates the annual harvest of the ancient grain (Mim). The origin of the 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 Kuki people strongly believe that their deceased ancestors' souls rise from their graves and visit their family homes. The people offer tribute to the dead souls in wine naturally prepped from rice at every home. Kut for the people of Kuki-Chin-Mizo is more than a festival or ritual; it is their way of life reflecting their rich tradition and common identity which at the same time has relations with their socio-economic and political system. Mim-Kut, which is normally held on 17th January each year has the potential to promote unity among the already shattered Kuki-Chin-Mizo community and provide reunification which becomes imperative.

Method and Objective: The objective of the current study is to highlight the significance of Mim-Kut in the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community. The current study is a critical analysis of the secondary sources, followed by a semi-structured interview. It is also to acknowledge their presence in the present States of India was as old as the history of the land itself through the history of KUT.