Sümi Village Youth Society (SVYS) organised the first edition of Snail Festival (Akutsubo Ni) at Sümi Village, Phek district, on April 25. The event was graced by director, Department of Tourism, Veyielo Doulo.
According to SVYS, gracing the event, Doulo lauded the uniqueness of the village and its abundance of snails, appreciating the community’s generosity in sharing them through the festival. He remarked that self-promotion was essential for growth and described the festival as an excellent initiative. Doulo also highlighted the village’s rich history, noting oral narratives that position Sümi Village as an ancestral home for many Sumi villages.
Village Council chairman, Kekhwekhalo Rhakho, expressed gratitude to guests and well-wishers, while CPO general secretary, Chepetso Koza, in his address recalled that CPO has declared 2026 as the year of “Friendship and Unity”. He commended the festival as a step towards fostering unity.
Additional director, Department of Tourism, T. Kakihe Sumi, in his exhortation, described the snail festival as an innovative and welcoming concept, extending appreciation to the organisers.
