Imphal, November 14: At a time when Manipur continues to grapple with the wounds of prolonged ethnic conflict, the Imphal Naga Forum (INF) brought together women from different indigenous communities of the hills and valley for a Ningol Chakouba celebration, offering a reminder that cultural traditions can also serve as bridges of understanding and reconciliation.
The gathering, held on November 13 at the Diamond Jubilee Memorial Park, Adimjati Shiksha Ashram, Chingmeirong, Imphal, was organised under the theme “United by Love Beyond Boundaries.” Women from various communities joined religious and community representatives in a celebration that sought to strengthen social relationships across ethnic and geographical divisions.
Ningol Chakouba, one of the most cherished festivals of the Meitei community, traditionally celebrates the enduring bond between married daughters and their parental families. By extending the spirit of the festival to women from different communities, the Imphal Naga Forum sought to turn an occasion of family reunion into a broader expression of friendship, hospitality and coexistence.
The programme was attended by Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykishan, INF Chief Advisor Dr. Chance Raman, religious leaders, community representatives and women from different backgrounds.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Chance Raman identified land, identity and unequal distribution of wealth as three fundamental issues underlying Manipur’s conflict. He argued that lasting peace would remain difficult unless the deeper causes of the crisis were examined alongside its immediate triggers.
According to Raman, responding only to the visible consequences of violence without addressing long-standing grievances would not produce meaningful or sustainable solutions. He emphasised the importance of understanding the complexities surrounding land and identity, while calling for responsible leadership guided by a long-term vision.
He also drew attention to the suffering of ordinary people during political movements and periods of instability. Regardless of who leads such movements, he observed, it is often the common people who bear the greatest burden of their consequences.
Raman urged leaders and organisations to consider how their decisions affect public welfare and to place the long-term interests of society above immediate political considerations.
Recalling the establishment of the Imphal Naga Forum following the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, he referred to the organisation’s consultations with church leaders, civil society organisations and individuals concerned with the difficulties faced by affected communities.
He particularly emphasised the role of women and mothers in rebuilding relationships damaged by conflict. While acknowledging that differences and difficult political questions must be addressed sincerely, he stressed that love, understanding and mutual respect should not be lost in the process.
Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykishan, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the cultural significance of Ningol Chakouba in sustaining affection between brothers and sisters. He congratulated the Imphal Naga Forum for organising a celebration that extended the festival’s message of familial love beyond traditional community boundaries.
One of the highlights of the programme was a communal feast, during which women belonging to different communities shared a meal together. Gifts were also distributed among the participants by the organisers.
Established on June 6, 2023, the Imphal Naga Forum has been involved in humanitarian assistance, community consultations and dialogue initiatives since the outbreak of violence in Manipur. The organisation has also undertaken religious and cultural activities intended to promote interaction among different communities.
The Ningol Chakouba gathering formed part of these continuing efforts to create opportunities for dialogue and social engagement between people from the hills and valley.
In a state where conflict has strained relationships between communities, the celebration offered a modest but meaningful example of how shared cultural spaces can encourage people to meet, communicate and reconnect.
Although such gatherings cannot by themselves resolve the deeper political and social questions confronting Manipur, they can help preserve the personal relationships and mutual trust on which any lasting reconciliation will ultimately depend.
