Last year, while working for a non-profit organisation immersed in the rural fringes of Manipur. I witnessed something special. This organisation that I was a part of was working towards peacebuilding in North Eastern India, and that too through the channels of education and literacy programmes in North East India. I was employed in the position of Communications and Social media. As my job role demanded I was positioned in a village called, Ijeirong (Noney district) where I would do my day-to-day requirements of the job. Along with being an on-ground team member, I was also expected to engage, participate and communicate holistically with the community members of the village to understand the nuance of their living and culture of this village. The village where I was located is called Ijeirong (Noney district). Interestingly, we reached the village while crossing the “Ijei” river. And it might have got its name from the same.
This village is inhabited by the Inpui Naga tribes of Manipur. The Inpui Naga tribes are called by many names- Kabuimei. Kapiuimei. Puimei and Inpuimei. At last, they finally stuck to their present names and called themselves Inpui Naga. The Inpui (Puimei) tribes are one of the Zeliangrong groups and share similarities in culture, belief systems and dialects to the three other sub-ethnic groups of Zemes, Liangmais, and Rongmeis.
The Inpui Naga tribes are called by many names – Kabuimei. Kapiuimei. Puimei and Inpuimei. At last, they finally stuck to their present names and called themselves Inpui Naga. The Inpui (Puimei)tribes are one of the Zeliangrong groups and share their similarities in culture, beliefs and dialects with three other sub-ethnic groups of Zemes, Liangmais, and Rongmeis.
At present, the Inpui population is very small, and they are based in places in Haochong, Puichi, Ijeirong ( the place where I was based), Pungmon. Nungtek and Bakwa villages under Haochong Sun- division and Kabuikhullen, New Kabuikullen, Tamsamom under Awangkhun Sub- division in Noney District, Waphong Village in Kangpokpi district, and Makuilongdiin Senapati district. Changangei, Yurembam Taamphagei and Pantilong are also a few of the villages in Imphal valley. And there is also one more village at Sanyamila Dimapur, Nagaland.
During my stay in Ijeirong, I witnessed, celebrated and commemorated many festivities, luncheons and community gatherings. But there was one special event that was very enduring to me as a grassroots worker, which was the celebration of their centenary festival. This festival was special in the fact that this community has witnessed many displacements, trials and tribulations. Although they have strong affinity and kinship bonds with several other tribes and ethnic groups. The community has withheld everything from natural disasters, wars, epidemics etc everything.
What was even more enduring about this event was this event was celebrated at their renowned community-owned British Bombarded Ground. Legend has it that the Inpui managed to fight even with the British, and even defeat them. I also witnessed the installation of a few great monoliths and edifices on the ground to commemorate the important bit of history for the Inpuis.
(Image description: The installation of the monoliths describing the history of war at the historic British Bombarded Ground)
This event was the centenary celebration of the Inpui community which was rooted in the theme of “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” to pay homage to the sacrifices and sufferings.
As I have earlier mentioned, the Inpui Naga are dispersed throughout the different parts of Manipur. This event was monumental for them, particularly for their youth and younger younger generations to come by. The village elders elucidated the importance of this event, along with the theme of the event. This event was to honour their roots and ancestry and to acknowledge their past misgivings to heal for their future generation. This festival was celebrated with much fanfare, community feasts, dances and music to give a happy retelling of the past.
The construction of the podium with the local produce (bamboo) at the British Bombarded Ground
Men from the village installing the monoliths displaying great courage and strength
The Ground during the night time
Womenfolk attending the nighttime festivities
Village community members volunteering for the community feasts
The slow, charred cooking endorsed by the local community
Contributor’s Note:
As a modern educated city-bred child, I knew that conflicts remain the crux of every society. There are many resolutions, compromises, mutual agreements, recommendations and many other documents that come up for the resolution of a matter. But we as modern educated often forget to involve the on-ground community members and stakeholders where we are at the centre of a conflict. This Inpui Naga community showed me ways in which a community can resolve and surpass the demons of the past to build a brighter, safer future.
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Krittika Bhuiya is a Sociology and Social Anthropology graduate from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Guwahati.