There was no Zeliangrong beyond 1947. The version that, oneness of Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei since the time of Makuilongdi is possible but not as one tribe. The essence of tribe came into being and used lately or recently, coined by Indian system of social classification copied from foreign systems of divide and rule politics. The composed name for the brethren tribes of Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei was established not as to be called a single tribe but a collective council as Zeliangrong Council on 15th Feb.1947. This concept or philosophy has to be understood as intended by the pioneering leaders. It was to form a common or joint council of the wrongly called names of Kacha Nagas, and Kabui Nagas to the same Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei. At that time Inpui was accounted and called together with Rongmei under Kabui. However, generally, Kabui and kacha Nagas were referred to the same people together without any general distinction. Therefore, Zeliangrong was necessitated and desired to be called as a people.Zeliangrong was named for political, social and economic purpose. The intention was mainly for protection and defence from external attack and encroachment of land by outsiders rather than strengthening the bond of brotherhood among the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei (Inpui was understood to be of Rongmei under Kabui identity recognized scheduled tribe of India).
The unfortunate elements of social discrimination and classification committing among the Zeliangrong brethren on the basis of arbitrary state boundary, place of birth and state-wise tribe recognition by some few vested individuals are destroying the very fiber of brotherly love, understanding and tolerance in the Zeliangrong society. This is the fact as well as a challenge for the people. Some few Zeme leaders of Nagaland had caused the creation and politic of Zeliangrong and they themselves had denounced it at their own will to form Zeliang in the state of Nagaland. Therefore the creation and distortion of Zeliangrong is credited to the Zeliang. Zeliangrong in Nagaland is being paralysed and weakened by the existence of Zeliang as a tribe though they know that, it is just a composed and artificial tribal identity. Zeliangrong in Manipur has still a close and strong fiber of brotherhood and a deep sense of oneness among themselves yet they cannot further the cause of uniting the Zeliangrong in the spirit of brotherly love.
The concerned leaders and right thinking Christian Zeliangrong citizens in the three states are appealed to strive on creating a conducive environment for peaceful and loving co-existence in the spirit of brotherly tribes. Let us unite our people’s forces for greater and higher cause which lies ahead of us. Let us strengthen the bond of Zeliangrong as a common house of Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei and Inpui families/tribes to make a common and apex people’s front with a common objectives, interest and vision equally committing to the cause of defending, promoting and upholding the brothers’ tribes in their respective places. The Zeliangrong being the contentious nomenclature for its discriminative nature when viewed through the prism of diverse related and identical tribes living together in a compact geographical region of which Haipou Jadonang might have inclusively termed or considered as Hao-Makaam people.
The name Zeliangrong may be renamed inclusively as Hao-Makaam which has a basis and a historical reason without a sort of discrimination or classification. Proposed that, Hao-Makaam be the name of the big and common house of Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, Inpui, thangal, Maram, Chiru, Poumai, and all those closely attached people by culture, tradition and customs living under a compact geographical region.
The art is of personal views and proposition intended to be a source of information for readers to see beyond the present and build a better social order. Any comment from readers is anticipated to refine the thoughts for further development of the same.
Gwangphun,
A Social Research Activist
