Sumi and the Dance of the Dark Spirits

Sumi and the Dance of the Dark Spirits is a delightful folklore of the Sumi tribe of Nagaland, one of the seven sister state, seated in Northeast India. Untold and Unheard of, it unwraps a world of wonder and surprises.

Join the shy moi, spirited Sumi and brave vikai in this folk-fantasy adventure of self-discovery, bravery, mystery, and loyalty and friendship as they embark on a journey into unfamiliar territories and encounter supernatural being, get chased by spirits, befriend dragonflies, meets the wind family, and fight the dark spirits.

Toinali Sema ia a teacher and a school administrator. Presently, she is pursuing her PhD in education from Nagaland University. This is her maiden novel based on Naga folklore- the Sumi tribes of Nagaland. Through the Folk-fantasy novel, the author hopes to inspire young boys and girls to embrace and cherish the rich Naga folklores.

It gives me great pleasure to witness the process of Toinali Sema's book, "Sumi and the Dance of the Dark Spirits" becoming a reality.

This book will fill a long-felt gap in Sumi storytelling. How apt that it is a story for the age-group of 10 to 16 years! I am confident it will usher in many more stories from the treasure box of collective Sumi memory.

The book is an admirable combination of folklore, fantasy and a fairytale atmosphere with its adolescent protagonists and a tomboy female heroine braving the sinister forest world and its attendant spirits. Its appeal is to younger readers and it is very fitting to begin by introducing young minds to folk wisdom through stories that are both entertaining and educative. Toinali has shown that this is possible, bless her!

I wish Toinali great success and may there be many future volumes added to this first offering.