Kukis for a Development Council?

Untold history and misery of the Kuki people who today want something back for the service they have rendered to the country., demands for a development council

- Joe Hmachhuana

The term Kuki, in literature, first appeared in the writing of Rawlins when he wrote about the tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It refers to "Hillsmen" comprising numerous clans. These clans share a common past, culture, customs and tradition. The term Kuki can be thought of as been synonymous with Mizo and Chin tribes, predominantly all Zo groups.

An important landmark in the history of the Kuki people with considerable social, cultural and political ramifications came with the arrival of missionaries and the spread of Christianity among the Kuki's. The acceptance of Christianity made a departure of their tribal customs and traditions, and along with the spread of English education, it saw the arrival of modernity within the Kuki People.

The first Resistance movement by the Kuki People was the Kuki Rebellion of 1917-19. Kuki was subjugated by the British and divided between British India and British Burma administrations following the 'Kuki Uprising of 1917-19'.Up until the fateful defeat in 1919, the Kukis were an independent people ruled by their chieftains. During WWII, seizing the opportunity to regain independence, Kuki fought with the Imperial Japanese Army and the Indian National Army led by Subhas Chandra Bose. The success of the Allied forces over the Axis group dashed the aspiration of the Kuki people.

Now, for years there has been a well known alert of insurgencies in parts of North East. And it has become a regular daily affair where innocent civilians are deprived of their right or identity and many have lost their lives in a battle to tackle these problems for their people. Over the years Kukis has been fighting for a better future, with groups of humble civilians representing one voice to materialise what has been a dream for years into a reality.

Representing its people, United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), one of the militant groups formed in March 2000 submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister to put across a demand to create Kuki (KHULMI) Development Council (KDC) on the model of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council of Assam, for amelioration of the welfare of the deprived Kukis.

This raises a lot of questions on how the UKLF are planning to go about, especially with the disturbance in the peace march in Manipur and Nagaland. However, contrary to the insignificance of time and conditions; UKLF and its people are thirsty for the outcome of something positive.
*Hmmm*

Shared Solace

In this society, where history has been kept through spoken rather than written words, music has been one essential tool of keeping memories alive—to bring together communities that had once been driven apart.

- Joe Hmachhuana


In a wide a rank of violence and injustice with incomplete explanations yet many theories in parts of the world, if there is one art form that is the precursor of change then it has to be music… a rehearsal of change, a cultural expression of values and beliefs that may still face resistance in our social lives today...existing as dreams waiting to become a reality tomorrow. I just got back from a premier of Songs of Guru Rewben Mashangva, a film produced and directed by Oinam Doren on the musical journey of the folk musician hailing from Ukhrul district of Manipur. It was followed by discussion on masculinities of Folk Music highlighting the works of Rewben and alike.

Rewben is a Folk Singer, musician, composer and researcher and guide for the conservation and evolvement of tribal folk music with 15 years of practice in the field. Rewben is the foremost advocate of Hao music with rich and abundant in depth experience in the field. He plays the Tingtelia (Pena), a violin type instrument which took him 7 years to alter to suit his music, as well as the modern Acoustic guitar and harmonica. Each time he plays in and around his hometown, his son Saka Mashangva accompanies him as percussion player.

I have had a warm privilege to share a stage with him when my band called 'Them Clones' played in Pune several years back. During that time Rewben along with his son performed with Raghu Dixit.

I respect Rewben not only for the music that he has produced, I respect him for his beliefs and effort to prove the world that music alone can fight injustice and open world of possibilities.

*Lage Raho...*

Ima Keithel

Corruption stands correct

The Manipur Government has yet again pushed its State into another level of squabble by neglecting the MoU jointly signed by the representatives of the Ima Keithel and the Government. Leaving the poor and deprived in a tragic loss of livelihood.

- Joe Hmachhuana

The political crap that goes around in Manipur has been affecting the people of villages for decades now. On contrary to the Government’s years of ignorance to implement right doses of justice in this area, civilians are crying in vain on their daily mission to cradle a livelihood to survive. It is a true tragic situation where the rich are getting richer and so on the saying goes.

In order to attest to the rigor... its the glimpse of the poor who sore muscles, shovel gravel, lug woods, dig post holes and lift heavy boulders to reinforce the price of living in disturbed roads of Manipur everyday.

Manipur State Government is held responsible for the dark clouds glooming over Ima Keithel,the second largest women’s market in Asia. Women vendors are deprived of their seats and have descended on the verge of losing hope for what used to be their livelihood.

Displeasure caused by the Government in the name of the modernization has agitated thousands of women traders who have been robbed of their right with corruption, bribery and favoritism. A bulk of corruption leading the permanent license holders into categories of temporary license holders.

A difficult thing to measure or compare, however, is the impact of corruption on poverty versus the effects of inequalities that are structured into law, such as unequal trade agreements, structural adjustment policies, so-called “free” trade agreements and so on. It is easier to see corruption. It is harder to see these other more formal, even legal forms of “corruption.” It is easy to assume that these are not even issues because they are part of the laws and institutions that govern national and international communities and many of us will be accustomed to it—it is how it works, so to speak.

It is no longer a time for a mere combat against corruption; it is battle against the officials’ thrive on domination. Animals higher in the chain eats those in the lower belt. And if you remember we humans are at the top of this food chain. And we are the biggest casualties.

People's choice: Naga Menu

Realising Dreams

For one living away from home town, it's a real desire to contend with a traditional dish, and that’s when some people find a special place in the Nagaland food stall, located in the heart of Dilli Haat. A great deal of affordable Naga cuisine and a must stop over for any food lovers for a quick bite.
- Joe Hmachhuana

To say that the consumption of food is a vital part of the chemical process of life is to state the obvious, but sometimes we fail to realize that food is more than just vital. In order to approach the study of food would be to identify the food variables and to arrange these variables systematically; we may use the word 'Culture'. Culture in a classificatory sense implies pattern or style of food habits.

Determining criterion in this connection, I am proud to publish ‘Realising Dreams’ story of my friend Amenla Longkumer, who along with her siblings Ayinla Longkumer and Chubamanen Longkumer run a scholar of Naga food menu in Dilli Haat. It was the year 1996, when the restaurant came to commencement. And like every other profession in the business field, Amenla too found herself stumbling over few difficult aspects in the beginning. There were many challenges when she started the business, owing to the fact that different people from different background eat differently. And for a restaurant specializing ethnic Naga cuisine, customers were hard to find.

But with passing years and a growth in the proficiency of handling its desired market, the Nagaland food stall today caters to almost every customers from different states and more importantly it kinder foreign clients who make a special effort to grab a grub of Naga special at the restaurant.

Nagaland is known for its wonderfully exotic cuisine, offers the best pork with bamboo shoots. A regular visitor of this place would advice one to experience the authentic cuisine of the State. The famous and delicious Naga Thali has already crossed the universal dividers owing to its magical taste. Akhuni (fermented soya bean) for instance makes a memorable treat. Dishes like Raja Mircha, Ak Ponung, Ak Tsung, Awo Kutsu (special pork head preparation) and Mersu Aaon (Naga’s special fish preparation) swings the rhythm of success at the joint.

Since ingredients do not taste the same everywhere, a special virtue of effort is made to get ingredients transported from Nagaland itself. Special duty is adjudged to summon hygienic food from the management. The restaurant also organize Christmas special, and it makes the visit around this time even more worth while with choir singing carols over the terrific buffet of Naga specials.

The paragon of Amenla’s success is deeply modeled by her hard work and determination. An incredible standard of motive that has helped her pull through the odds without any formal training or education in the related field. Along side many of her achievements; Amenla is acquainted by her sister Ayinla and brother Chubamanen who has added perfect duties in maintaining the service and ambience of the restaurant. In recognition of the restaurant’s remark ability, Delhi Tourism had awarded the Nagaland food stall for its cleanliness and great service among the stalls in Dilli Haat over the years.

The stall represents the essence of Naga tradition and culture through its diamond affair of Naga delicacies. The main target is to focus on the local Naga food items and reach out to new customers. It is a great deal of pleasure to mention that Nagaland food stall represents the food culture of Nagaland and its counterparts, playing a vital role in shaping the realm of North-East states’ tradition and culture to a large number of people in the city today.

Different cultural sects have different eating codes. Men and women, in various stages of their lives, eat differently. Different individuals have different tastes. Some of these differences are overcome through an initiation of reasoning with the differences and providing an innovation to break these boundaries. Amenla and her siblings have achieved those tasks as prescribed, identifying the differences, explaining them, and introducing a new outlet to the other facets of culture, tradition and a monumental like surface to its customers called Nagaland's kitchen which is recently opened and located in Green Park, New Delhi. And I am gonna be heading there straight after work for a major Ak Tsung indulgence.
Bon Appetit!