Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Huthuka Sumi's 'Giants' Explores Naga-Sumi Culture Through Storytelling
Imagine a book about a young boy named Kato who can't speak but becomes a storyteller.
His village, Ayito Phu, is part of the Naga-Sumi culture, filled with old tales and symbols.
The book shows how these stories connect people to their past and to magical giants called Timi-ala who protect the land.
Even though bad things like war and sadness happen, the stories help people remember what's important and find strength.
It’s like the stories are roots that keep the community strong, even when things change a lot.
The author uses these old stories to show us that remembering our connections helps us grow.
Huthuka Sumi's debut novel 'Giants' uses Naga-Sumi symbols, folktales, and local history.
The story centers on Kato, a mute 13-year-old who must become a storyteller to preserve traditions.
The novel explores the tension between progress and the importance of community roots and older stories.
It features 'Timi-ala', giants who protect the land and are interconnected with humans.
'Giants' aims to show how storytelling can be a regenerative force to overcome change, war, and loss.
- Who
- Huthuka Sumi, author; Kato, the protagonist
- What
- Debut novel 'Giants' that explores Naga-Sumi culture, folklore, and the power of storytelling to transcend loss and promote community.
- When
- Not explicitly stated, but implies a contemporary setting dealing with the impact of 'change'.
- Where
- Ayito Phu, a mountain village in the Northeast, with references to Naga-Sumi traditions.
- Why
- To explore how stories and community roots can be regenerative forces in the face of societal change, war, death, and loss of magic.
- Book Title
- Giants
- Author
- Huthuka Sumi
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Price
- Rs 299