Meyu Changkiri
Every community carries a story shaped by courage, struggle, and hope. The Amri Karbis, one of the four sub-tribes of the Karbi community, have long been known for their resilience and cultural pride.
Once a warrior tribe led by a king from the Ronghang clan of Kolong, they lived under an autonomous kingdom in the heart of Assam, bound together by kinship, courage, and tradition.
Today, the Amri Karbis are found mainly in the Kamrup and Nagaon districts of Assam, with more than 50 villages in Meghalaya, where they are officially recognized as “Mikirs.” Though small in number, their story over the past few decades is one of remarkable transformation - from isolation and hardship to a growing community of learning, unity, and hope.
Seeds of Faith and Learning
The story of the Gospel in Northeast India began when American Baptist missionaries arrived in Sadiya, Assam, in 1836, establishing one of the earliest mission stations. Along with the message of faith, they introduced education and social reform that gradually transformed the region.
In 1859, Rev. and Mrs. Cyrus Fisher Tolman were commissioned as the first missionaries to the Karbis (then called the Mikirs). Four years later, Rev. Miles Bronson baptized Rongbong, the first recorded Karbi Christian, who became a member of the Nowgong Baptist Church. Although early mission work among the Karbis did not continue strongly at the time, these beginnings laid a spiritual foundation for future generations.
It is important to note that the Karbis consist of different sub-groups, each with distinct dialects and traditions. Among them, the Amri Karbis form a separate entity, speaking a different language and living mainly in parts of Kamrup and Nagaon districts, and in several villages of Meghalaya. Their story of faith emerged a century later, through a mission movement born out of Nagaland.
Among the early Assamese Christians was Godhula (Brown) - a humble man whose life became a bridge between Assam and Nagaland. As a native of Assam, he helped early missionaries and later carried the Gospel to the Ao Naga people of Molungkimong. His work inspired generations of believers to see faith and education as inseparable forces for transformation.
By 1981, the Merangkong Baptist Church in Nagaland - with less than 300 Christian families and about 700 baptized members - was a small but mission-minded community. Most families earned a living through jhum (shifting) cultivation, with limited income. Yet their gratitude to God led them to share the light they had received.
In 1981, during their centenary celebration, they launched the Merangkong Godhula Mission in memory of the Assamese Christian who had once brought the Gospel to their land. Their goal was clear - to reach the unreached and open new doors of learning and hope.
Through the ministry of Rev. P. Pona Ao, the mission recognized that true transformation begins with knowledge. An English Medium School was first established at Amguri and later shifted to Samota, Assam, where it opened the eyes of the people in Samota and the nearby villages. It became a beacon of learning and opportunity for an entire generation.
A New Beginning Among the Amri Karbis
On March 5, 1983, Rev. P. Pona Ao and his wife Theresa Marak were commissioned by the Merangkong Baptist Church to serve among the Amri Karbis of Assam. Their mission was not only to teach but to live among the people - learning their language, walking their paths, and sharing life together.
A few months later, on August 7, 1983, a historic event took place when forty men and women from thirteen villages took baptism in the Digaru River near Rongphar village. The service was led by Rev. Dr. K. I. Aier of the Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India (CBCNEI) and Rev. Kulendra Marak of the Kamrup Assomia Baptist Sobha (KABS). That day marked the birth of Christianity among the Amri Karbis - a quiet yet powerful moment of awakening and renewal.
In her book Hope for a Needy Tribe (2021), Theresa Marak writes that “the Amri Karbis are presently dispersed in South Kamrup (Sonapur, Dimoria, Rani, Chandrapur) and Nagaon districts of Assam, settled in small village communities usually located deep in the hilly and forested areas.” She adds that “the economic condition of the people is very poor. They are one of the most neglected tribes in Northeast India. Their land, lying in a disputed area between Assam and Meghalaya, has been kept as reserved forest.”
Her words reveal the reality in which this mission took root - a people long forgotten, yet eager for change. Under Rev. P. Pona Ao’s leadership, the new believers learned to read, pray, and support one another. Over time, churches and schools emerged, and communities began to thrive with dignity and hope.
The movement forms a beautiful circle of grace: an Assamese Christian once brought the Gospel to the Ao Nagas; a century later, Naga Christians carried that same light back into Assam - to the Amri Karbi hills.
Learning and Serving Together
My personal connection with the Amri Karbi story began much later in life. While in school and college, I had never read or heard about the Amri Karbis, nor had I met anyone from the community. Yet, interestingly, my own village Changki has Amri as one of its founding clans, along with the Longcharis and Changkiris - of which my wife also belongs to the Amri clan of Changki.
I later learned that, sometime during the late 1980s, a troupe of Amri Karbi Christians had visited my home church in Changki to share their songs and testimonies. Though I was unaware of it then, looking back, I see it as a quiet sign of how our stories were already intertwined long before I ever met them in person.
It was only during my years of service with the India Gospel Mission, where I served as a Master Trainer, that I came to know the Amri Karbis personally. Among my students were several Amri Karbi young people - bright, humble, and eager to learn. Their sincerity and openness touched me deeply.
Through them, I discovered a people with strong family values, an instinct for harmony, and a remarkable capacity for gratitude. They were eager to learn not just new skills, but new ways to serve their villages and uplift others.
During my visits to their villages in 2007–2008, I saw both struggle and resilience. Many still lacked proper roads, electricity, and basic amenities. Yet amid these challenges, there was unmistakable joy and light. The Gospel had not only changed their faith but their outlook on life.
Over time, I witnessed steady progress - more children attending school, more families valuing education, and more young people finding purpose. The Gospel of Jesus Christ had brought the Amri Karbis from darkness to light, not only spiritually but socially and intellectually.
Standing Together in Faith and Hope
When I was invited by the Amri Karbi Baptist Churches Association (AKBKA) to speak at their Annual Central Council on October 30, 2025, I was deeply moved by their growth since 1983. What began with forty believers had become a network of vibrant congregations.
During my exhortation, I shared from Philippians 1:6:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
The God who planted the seed of the Gospel here in 1983 will surely bring it to fullness. The Amri Karbi story is proof that what begins in faith never ends in failure - because God continues to write His story among His people.
I also reflected on the partnership between my church in Shillong and the Amri Karbi Baptist Churches Association (AKBKA), saying:
“Our partnership is a visible reminder that the work of God’s Kingdom is bigger than one church, one tribe, or one association. It is a shared mission, and we are honored to walk with you in prayer, encouragement, and cooperation for stronger ministry.”
These words remain true for all of us. God’s work flourishes through fellowship, shared vision, and humble service.
A Timely Challenge
After my message, Joshua N. Rengma, Secretary (Mission) of the Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention, reflected on the need to keep faith alive. He compared today’s church to a government “family planning policy” - doing just enough to survive instead of daring to grow.
He then asked a question that stayed with many:
“In this fast-changing world, where even people of faith are making compromises, how do we continue to believe in the never-changing God?”
His words remind us that faith must not fade with time. In a world of change, we are called to stand firm in what is right and true.
A Continuing Journey
Under the leadership of Rev. Navin Ramday, Executive Secretary of AKBKA, the mission continues to expand. The Association now partners with like-minded organizations to promote education, healthcare, and community development. Their work is holistic - seeking to uplift both spirit and society.
In regions where faith expression is sensitive, the churches serve quietly and wisely. Their strength lies not in loudness but in steadfast love and perseverance.
From Darkness to Light
The story of the Amri Karbis is one of light overcoming darkness - not only of faith gained, but of lives transformed. From forgotten hills to flourishing villages, they discovered that hope grows wherever truth and learning take root.
Once known as warriors, they now stand as witnesses of peace and progress. Their journey reminds us that genuine change begins when light enters the heart - and that light still shines today.
For the people of Northeast India, this story is a quiet invitation to remember with gratitude and to walk in that same light - to forgive, to rebuild, and to share hope.
The spark that began among the Amri Karbi hills continues to glow as a living testimony. May it keep shining - leading us all from darkness to life, from despair to hope, and from conflict to peace.
Sources:
1. Historical details referenced from Theresa Marak’s Hope for a Needy Tribe (2021), CBCNEI Publications’ Celebrating 75 Years of the Mighty Acts of God (1950–2025), early Assam Baptist mission records, and reports of the Merangkong Godhula Mission among the Amri Karbis.
2. The author acknowledges the contributions of Rev. P. Pona Ao, Rev. Dr. K. I. Aier, Rev. Kulendra Marak, and the pioneers who carried the light of faith to the Amri Karbi hills.
