With a view to fostering Peace and Friendship between various communities in Manipur through the medium of culture and sport, a Friendship Festival was held at Ijeirong Village, in Tamenglong district from January 6 to 10. The festival was attended by hundreds of persons from the District and Imphal besides other places in Manipur. A few visitors arrived from as far away as Bangalore and Mumbai.
During the festival, which was much akin to a village fair, traditional games such as Taren Kaloi and Tampaang Kapnu took the pride of place in addition there was much fun and frolic through other competitions between numerous participating villages such as football, choir singing, tug of water and sack fights. Visitors were delighted with hilarious competitions such as the husbands carrying wife race and a host of other innovative games. To showcase the traditional culture, most villagers were invited to wear traditional dresses only. There were also stalls of handicrafts, food and games.
Where communication between conflicting parties fails, music is an ideal vehicle in fostering brotherhood. Noted state artistes such as Kaiku, Sadananda and Reuben Mashangya regaled the audience on the last two days of the Festival. For many villagers it was a dream come true to see their heroes in real life. Impressed by beautiful Ijeirong nestled among the rolling hills and the warm hospitality, Kaiku even expressed his desire to spend a few days at the villages.
Besides representation from over 11 villages, other communities too were represented. A youth group from Kangchup Songlung Village presented a Kuki dance and several songs while talented children from Happiness Home Churachandpur enthralled the crowd with a Cheraw dance. A troupe from Thoubal presented excellent performances of Pung Cholom and Thang Ta. For many, it was the first experience of these cultural performances of other communities.
The Festival was supported by Tourism and Arts and Culture Departments of Govt of Manipur. The Festival Chairman Kasahung expressed his gratitude to Brig Gautam Chauhan, Commander, 73 Mountain Brigade and Col Rajiv Choudhary, Commandant 8 Assam Rifles for much of the logistical and material support without which it would not have been possible to stage the event at the remote location. The Football Tournament was sponsored by 8 Assam Rifles and the prizes distributed by 8 Assam Rifles Second in Command Anil Kumar who was the Chief Guest.
As a part of the festival, Dr. Th. Chandramani Singh, Co-ordinator cum Project Director, Kurkam Memorial Research Centre for Tribal & Endangered Language, South-East Manipur College, Komlathabi Chandel District disclosed that a Centre for Endangered Languages be open at Ijeirong Village. Amos Inka of the Ijeirong Village will be the in-charge of the said Centre. The theme of the Centre will be to preserve, promote, enrich and revitalization of the endangered languages spoken in and around the Tamenglong District
