Alemtemshi Jamir unveils the monolith documenting Longsa village’s origin to AD 1258 at Longsa Imrongtama on April 25.
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Morung Express News
Longsa | April 26
A monolith documenting the historical origin and continuity of Longsa village, traced to AD 1258, was erected at Longsa Imrongtama on April 25.
The monolith records the legacy of the Riongsanger generation and the village’s founding clans—Kongka, Sani (Pongener), Rentsüba (Longkumer/Meyur) and Metsübo (Jamir).
It was inaugurated by former bureaucrat Alemtemshi Jamir, who highlighted the importance of history in shaping identity and belonging. Drawing from his academic background, he said understanding one’s lineage, land and people is central to social recognition.
Describing the initiative as a formal acknowledgement of Longsa’s historical consciousness, he said the village’s existence for over 768 years reflects continuity shaped by endurance, adaptation and collective identity.
He recalled his father, N I Jamir, who had once expressed a desire to document Longsa’s history “in alphabets of gold,” and said such efforts help preserve collective memory.
Reflecting on the past, Jamir noted that forefathers sustained themselves through agriculture and undertook inter-village movement on foot during periods marked by hardship and headhunting traditions, while maintaining systems of social honour, feasts and community life. He added that oral accounts suggest the village was not subjected to attacks from other Ao villages.
He said the monolith stands as a record of the land, people and legacy of Longsa, and emphasised that the present status of the village is rooted in the contributions of its ancestors.
Highlighting Longsa’s contribution to public service, he said members of the village have served in governance from the British era to the present, citing figures such as N I Jamir and others, including Minister Metsubo Jamir and MP Supongmeren Jamir. He added that the village has produced three chief secretaries, including himself.
Stressing responsibility, he urged the present generation to continue contributing while remaining rooted in their identity and maintaining ties with their ancestral land. He also expressed concern over the declining use of the Longsa language among those living in urban areas and called for its preservation.
Earlier, Limaakum Tatar spoke on the significance of the monolith, while welcome addresses were delivered by Akangjungshi Tatar and Temjensosang Tatar.
