Z.D. Bon Gangmei, Social Worker
The existence of the Nagas in the present habitat, in the state of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Myanmar and Arunachal is the apportioned endowment of the Creator in His own season and plan. It is the destination and Promised Land of the Nagas. No history can deny the claim of the Nagas over their land because, the Nagas did not invade or conquer others land for their possession. The neighbouring states and communities stands as the living witnesses to the fact since centuries ago till date. It will be a matter of wilful violation of God’s design and plan to claim others land and properties.
The account of the Kukis in Nagas’ land is found to have been noticed to the Naga people late in the 18th Century. The Kukis with all its constituent and cognate tribes are recorded by early historians and writers as wandering people in search of better land for their survival and settlement and found to settle in Nagas’ inhabited land in parts of Manipur, Assam and present Nagaland. According to Sir James Johnstone’s record and accounts of his findings mentioned in one of his books,- ‘Manipur and Naga hills’ p-25, “ The Kukis are wandering race consisting of several tribes who have long been working up from the south. They were first heard of as Kukis in Manipur between 1830 and 1843.... The new migrants began to caused anxiety about the year of 1945 and soon poured in the Hill tracks of Manipur in such a numbers, so as to drive away many of the older inhabitants”
In support of this account, T.C. Hudson in his book: Naga Tribes of Manipur, 1911, p-2, “We are like birds of the air said the Kukis to me once ... we make our nest here this year and who knows where we shall build next year”
In some Naga areas, there used to be one or two Kuki villages in the care of the land owners. When they first came and approach the Naga Village, they asked the land owners for temporary settlement with the condition that they would be obliged to obey and practice the Naga customary act of levying land tax and whatsoever the land owners may levied on them.
In ancient time, during head hunting period, the Nagas had inter-Village feud. In such a situation, the Kukis took advantage and started to fight against the Nagas. As they gain their ground, they scattered in many parts of Nagas’ land mostly in part of Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandal, and Senapati Districts. In the wake of Naga struggle, some Kuki Villages abandoned their Villages and migrated to different places during 1957-95. They mostly concentrated and settled in some parts of the so called Sadar hills areas. Mention may be made that the major part of the so called Sadar hills belongs to Nagas of Zeliangrong, Tangkhul, Thangal, Maram, Maring, and some Naga tribes of present Chandal district. The Kukis who came to Manipur in the later part 1830s could never and ever claim an iota of the Nagas’ land without a valid document of agreements of parting their land to them by act of customary or legal establishment of whatsoever. The early historical and oral account of the Nagas maintain that, the Kukis while residing in the Nagas’ land were said to pay, land tax or act of exchange of permission for settlement by either means of offering local brew (Joubung), offering of pig’s head, Rampuan (yearly Land Resource tax) the amount varies in cash or in kind as per the agreement with the land owners. Wherever, the kukis settle in Nagas’ land, they are given a new adopted name after the name of the Village or community with whom they come in contact. i.e. Longpi Kuki, kaimai kuki, kekru Kuki, Chassad kuki, Zeliang kuki, mezhephima kukis etc. A tenant or lease holder can never become the owner of the land. The Nagas’ way of traditional boundary demarcation or neighbouring villages is generally and simply called by referring to each other village by name and they distinguish their tribal land by identifying their tribes’ boundary among themselves. For example, Zeliangrong boundary with Maram and Thangal, Thangal with Tangkhul, Tangkhul with Maring and anal, Zeliangrong boundary with the Meitei in the east of Tamenglong, In the south-east, the Zeliangrong boundary with Paite, Hmar, etc. there is no record or account of neighbouring boundary with the Kukis in the History of the Nagas except their entry into the Nagas’ land as an influx migrants by means of passage allowed according to the Naga customary act of receiving the outsiders. There is a record of Kukis paying tax in every Nagas’ Village where they settled alongside. The above oral statements and accounts authenticates that, the Kukis who are residing in parts of Nagas’ land are forever bound by the act of Naga customary laws and practices as tenant so long as they desire to remain in Nagas’ land. No act or laws can pass in Nagas’ domain against the Naga customary laws and practices which even the Govt of India by act of constitution have duly recognised its supreme authority in matter of Nagas’ land and people.
The land is the gift of God, given to every nation/people in the world as apportioned to every tribe/nation. The Nagas have their land endowed and apportioned by the creator. Acts. 17:26, mentions that, “And has made of one blood all nations of man to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed and the boundary of their habitation”.
Naga never turn out the Kukis from their land, instead they allowed the Kukis to amicably live alongside with them in peace. But the bitter truth is that, the Kukis often turn hostile with the Nagas and created war tone situation. Nevertheless, the Nagas continue to exercise tolerance and leniency over the hostile situation created by them. It shall never be a matter of acceptance to any community/tribe or Nation when their land is being grasped or attempted to snatch from the ownership. The Nagas shall not repeat or remind the ugly past history or events that may create unwanted situation in the present civilised society but to preserve its history inevitably.
