‘A person is lost, the moment he forgets his origins’

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 10

Parliamentary secretary to PHED and MLA of Phungyar assembly constituency, K. Leishiyo said a person must never forget his origin or background and the moment he forgets, he is a lost person.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of 33rd Shungri Ramhao Phanit Nitrei, (cultural festival) at Sorde village, Kamjong district.

Leishiyo said everyone has its own beginning or origin and for the Tangkhuls, it is Sorde village. Its custom, tradition, culture, clothing and even religion revolves around forest, he pointed out. He went on to say that if there is no forest there will be no culture for the hill tribes in general.

But modernisation has corrupted the cultural process of the Tangkhuls and the situation is too bad that it needs to be revived before it actually fades away completely, he said.

He appreciated the villagers for preserving the culture and originality of the Tangkhuls, and advised that such tradition of cultural goodness should be carried on to the next generation.

He cited that the main reason for underdevelopment of hill areas is because of unaccountability of the locals which are given development projects. He said many people feel that hill areas are neglected, but he said the main negligence is from the people or the locals. 

Based on the theme, the festival is celebrated with all indigenous cultural ingredients such as guys were seen with traditional haircut, the badges were made from bamboo, and the hall was made from real rice straws and people not speaking their traditional language were fined Rs.500 per person during the festival.

The village headman, A. Masuwang Awungba in his presidential speech said the main objective of the festival is asking for blessings to God before any work starts for the year.

He said that until the ritual of the Ramhao (first-phase of jhum cultivation) Phanit (festival) is performed, the villagers are not allowed to do any manual work.

This year, the festival is made grander by inviting women who were married outside the village in the festival, which serves as home visit for them. Out of 80 married women, around 20-25 women came for the festival.

The festival is also attended by vice chairman of ADC Ukhrul, M. Isaac, member of ADC Ukhrul, S.Thothaishang and deputy commandant of 17 Assam Rifles D. Coy of Sorde village, Ganga Singh as guests of honour.

It was organised by the Sorde village authority and is celebrated for three days. It is a festival marked with all traditional ingredients and this festival also marked the beginning of harvesting season. The theme of the festival is ‘Ngashan mathuk-khalui’ translated as culture revival.