The first Manipur Indigenous Day was observed at Sawombung Kabui Khunjao in Imphal East today, organised by the Federation of Haomee (FoH).
The programme, held under the presidentship of FoH president Sapamcha Jadumani, was attended by community leaders, dignitaries and invitees from across the state. It included flag hoisting at the Indigenous Pillar, traditional rituals, floral tributes, felicitation of dignitaries, cultural presentations and the release of an indigenous song.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Kabui community, FoH vice-president Dr K. Heera Kabui described the observance as an “emergence awakening bell” and called upon the 25 indigenous communities of Manipur to overcome past differences and unite as “one body”.
He said the Federation of Haomee had launched its “Know Your Identity” campaign in 2019 across different villages and districts to promote awareness of indigenous identities.
Dr Kabui identified the indigenous communities as Aimol, Anal, Chiru, Chothe, Inpui, Kabui, Kharam, Khoibu, Koireng, Kom, Lamkang, Liangmei, Mao, Maram, Maring, Meetei, Monsang, Moyon, Poumai, Purum, Rongmei, Tangkhul, Tarao, Thangal and Zeme.
He said the communities have distinct mother tongues, ancestral beliefs, traditional attire and customs, while sharing ancestral clan and sub-clan systems. He also referred to various phases of Manipur’s history, including its former status as a sovereign kingdom, the lapse of British paramountcy, the 1949 Merger Agreement and attainment of statehood in 1972.