N. Rong
Thounii festival is a remarkable moment to witness the cultural richness of one of the largest Naga tribes living in the present State of Manipur. The first hand experience to get the feel of the rich cultural heritage will hopefully give a sense of clear understanding of the uniqueness of Nagas through the lens of Poumai tribe. Poumai tribe comprises of 94 villages out of which 85 are revenue recognized villages and 9 unrecognized villages spread across six sub-divisions in Manipur and one sub-division (Phek) in Nagaland State. The Poumai villages in two states are separated by a stream. When one travels to Laii (Vafiimai) village after crossing Liyai, one can see the Zhavamai village in Nagaland state on the other side. These villagers treasure a shared past, however, division imposed by the colonial powers denied the right to live together as blood brothers under single administrative roof. The Poumai people who were divided into Nagaland state have to merge with the larger tribe and as such subsumed to Chakesang tribe. Technically, Poumai in Nagaland become a sub-tribe among Chakesang tribe and as such their true identity as Poumai tribe could not be exercised as a separate recognized tribe in the state of Nagaland. This adds to the complexity of protecting distinct tribal identity and also denied the political aspiration. The Naga people’s aspiration is built upon such cases to unify own people (read as brothers and sisters) separated by colonial powers and to consolidate the ancestral territories which belong to them (Nagas) to reclaim the pre-colonial status for a common homeland. In nutshell, thus, Naga Nationalism movement gained momentum when the government of the past failed to acknowledge and act according to the historical and political rights of the Naga people.
In analogy, Zeliangrong people inhabit in the three states of north east India; Nagaland, Manipur and Assam. The Zeliangrong people are also divided by the colonial powers in three states against their will and wishes. When one travels to Tamphung (The last village from Manipur, Senapati District) and view the Barak River, there is a junction that divides Senapati and Tamenglong District in Manipur side and Peren in Nagaland side. Territorially, culturally, historically the Zeliangrong people are one, however, it is painful to see that the same people were divided to different states through the colonial rules. Such cases do exist among tribes like Konyak, Tangkhuls, Rengma, Lotha, Sema and others. The interesting thing is, this kind of arbitrary divide by colonial rules become the bone of contention in the present situation. However, such cases are the living testimony before the world how the historical, political rights and aspiration of the Nagas for unified homeland (Nation) had been denied for this long.
Thounii, a grandest Festival of Poumai tribe a “New year festival or the festival of dawn”, celebrated after storing up paddy and all kinds of food grains and crops in thanksgiving for good harvest and good health showcases the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Poumai tribe. Festival is a time of establishing new bond and reviving old relationship. It is not only for Poumai to celebrate but guests from Naga family and other communities as well to thoroughly enjoy the richness and beauty of the Poumai culture in this happy Thounii Celebration 2016 sending a message to the world through its theme, “Our Culture is Our Identity.” From the land of Poumai flow the rivers of Barak and Iril. Barak River gently originates from the cold hills of Liyai (Zhaimai) and flows through Mao territory then Maram territory, Zeliangrong territory and beyond, seamlessly connecting them giving as sense of commonness. Iril originates from Lakhamai flows through Tangkhul territory and flows down to Imphal valley. Laini River flowing through the land of Ngari (Raimai), (Phaibung Zhifiimai, Chumai) and Laii circle villages (Vafii and Zhobii) territories (from Poumai territory) joining Phek District in Nagaland and beyond. Poumai villages contribute to these rivers as tributaries. These rivers enrich the lives of lakhs of people, providing water for agriculture and living. So much so, the pottery items/earthen wares from Oinam Hill (Onaeme) called ‘Pouli” provided utensils for the Poumai people, other Naga tribes and beyond and was inevitable an obligatory item to perform rites and rituals among many Naga tribes before the dawn of modernity. The song says, ‘Even Sun reluctantly goes to its home after visiting the beautiful Poumai land.” These rivers that connect the people across ethnicities and race, once again remind us the significance of peaceful coexistence by respecting each other’s position.
Again, coming to the pressing issue at hand, Indo-Naga peace process started way back in 1997 (1st August) after a ceasefire agreement was inked between Government of India and NSCN (IM) to resolve the decades old confrontation has been given a fresh hope by signing of peace accord on 3rd August 2015 after Mr Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. Along Longkumer aptly observed in this book A Way Forward, “The all-India political dynamics at present with a single party majority government in Delhi under the determined leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a boon for the Naga issue.”
This humble piece, in fact is prepared in anticipation of Union Minister for Tribal Affairs gracing the occasion as chief guest to be published in local Daily in Senapati. However, due to the technical problem the paper could not be published and Union Minister also cancelled his visit due to the recent earthquake in Manipur. Thounii can be an opportune moment for Union Minister and his team to take back home “memories of beautiful culture” and ‘deep longing’ of Naga people for final settlement of Indo-Naga political issue. Which until such thing happen is a ‘dawning hope’ for the struggling people.
