A Heartfelt Cry from Displaced Meitei Women Boycotting Ningol Chakkouba

As the annual Ningol Chakkouba festival approaches on November 3, these women, residing in temporary accommodations due to ethnic conflict, have declared they will boycott this significant celebration. Ningol Chakkouba is a cherished festival in Manipur, symbolizing the love between married women and their paternal kin. Traditionally, it is a time when women return to their parental homes, renewing bonds over shared meals and gifts. For displaced women unable to return home, however, the meaning of the festival is hollowed by the loss of security and stability.
The emotional toll of this conflict was evident during a sit-in protest near Sajiwa Jail in Imphal East, where hundreds of displaced women gathered. Their message was clear: while they appreciate the invitations from family, celebrating the festival in their current state of displacement would feel empty. Many of these women and their families have spent months in makeshift housing, cut off from their communities, their homes, and the continuity of their cultural traditions. The decision to boycott the festival reflects a deeper pain — a sense of loss not just of property but of identity, stability, and heritage.
Boycotting Ningol Chakkouba is not a decision taken lightly. It is a collective cry for justice and a plea for government attention to their plight. For these women, the festival represents not just a family gathering but the values of unity, cultural continuity, and belonging. Their stand sends a powerful message to society and leadership: that without safety and the sanctity of home, even the most meaningful traditions lose their essence. The boycott highlights a reality that goes beyond the immediate crisis — it underscores the deep-rooted connection between culture and stability. When families are separated by displacement, and the threat of violence looms, celebrations like Ningol Chakkouba become distant, painful reminders of what has been lost.
For the Meitei women, the festival signifies family bonds that should be celebrated at home, not in a temporary shelter. In choosing to forgo it, they hope to draw attention to the human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for a resolution that allows them to return to their rightful homes. In essence, the boycott of Ningol Chakkouba by the displaced Meitei women is more than just a protest against ongoing displacement. It is a call for peace, a demand for dignity, and a cry for the restoration of lives and culture.
The boycott should resonate as a call to action for the state government. These women have not simply lost property; they have lost access to a secure environment that allows them to live and celebrate their traditions with dignity. This protest highlights the broader humanitarian dimensions of Manipur’s crisis, urging the state to prioritize resettlement and to provide a clear, actionable plan for rehabilitation. This includes safe pathways for displaced families to reclaim their homes, protections for those affected by violence, and support systems that allow these communities to regain their autonomy and cultural practices.
It is now essential for the government to listen and respond with practical solutions that address not just immediate shelter needs but also the restoration of community life and cultural practices. Recognizing the significance of traditions like Ningol Chakkouba and the reasons behind the boycott is a step toward addressing the broader impacts of the conflict. Providing a secure environment where displaced people can return to their homes is essential to rebuilding Manipur’s social fabric. As the displaced women rightly point out, it is only when they can return to their homes and communities that they can meaningfully participate in the festivals and rituals that define their identity.