Why Is Manipur So Crazy for Mermaids?

The ongoing Ningtham Keithel is filled with crowds which flock to witness the vibrant performances where performers dressed as mermaids, with shimmering tails, flowing costumes, and fantastical flair steal the show, drawing cheers and selfies from enthusiastic audiences. Amid the state’s lingering ethnic tensions and IDP crisis, these mermaid spectacles offer a splash of whimsical escapism in carnivals and cultural melas.

Whether it’s a playful nod to global pop culture (think Disney’s Ariel influencing fancy dress trends), a creative twist on traditional entertainment to attract younger crowds, or simply the allure of something exotic and eye-catching in otherwise familiar Shumang Kumhei or winter carnival settings, Manipur seems inexplicably hooked.

The mermaid has become an unlikely star of these gatherings, dazzling under lights, symbolizing fantasy and fleeting joy even as deeper societal fractures remain unhealed.

The hollowness in Manipur’s collective conscience cuts deeper than ever as we stand in mid-January 2026. The ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 continues to haunt the state, not as distant history, but as a living wound. Over 60,000 Internally Displaced Persons remain in more than 300 relief camps across the valley and hills, enduring cramped conditions, uncertainty, and the persistent trauma of lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.

Promises to close camps by December 2025 went unmet, sparking protests like the January 12 rally to Lok Bhavan, where hundreds marched demanding safe, dignified returns, accountability, and an end to inaction under President’s Rule.

Deep within, our society is broken. Families torn apart, villages reduced to ashes, trust shattered along ethnic lines, these scars do not heal overnight. The grief, fear, and anger linger like an undercurrent, eroding the spirit even as daily routines resume for some.

Life must go on! Yes, we cannot remain frozen in perpetual mourning, nor can we abandon hope for normalcy. Children need education, businesses need revival, culture needs expression.

But how can we indulge in superficial joy when the core of our being remains fractured? The merriment feels almost defiant, a grasp at normal life amid chaos.Yet this surface-level enjoyment rings false when juxtaposed with the unresolved pain. How do we cheer for fleeting fantasies while fellow Manipuris languish in camps, unable to return home freely?

How do we celebrate when our displaced people, symbols of resilience are still confined, their futures uncertain?

The contradiction sharpens with the serious demands echoing across communities. Voices insist on “No ST, No votes”, calling for the deletion of the ambiguous “Any Kuki Tribes” (AKT) category from the Scheduled Tribes list to prevent misclassification and demographic distortion.

Tied to this is the rallying cry. In Manipur, implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the upcoming Census (with administrative boundaries frozen from January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, for the 2027 enumeration) is not just a demand. It’s an urgent necessity to safeguard the state’s demographic integrity and indigenous rights.

Civil society groups, including those from Meitei, Thadou, and other communities, along with protests and sit-ins (such as those in late 2025 with slogans like “NRC First, Census Next”), argue that an updated NRC, identifying genuine citizens and addressing illegal migrant is essential to ensure a fair, accurate census.

These are not casual slogans; they stem from existential fears over identity and survival, fueling protests and campaigns even as others turn to festivities.

Are we serious about these issues, or do we settle for momentary distractions? Until the IDPs return home safely, until these deep fractures begin to mend through justice and empathy, our smiles remain superficial, our patriotism incomplete.

The mermaid may enchant the crowds, but true soul of Manipur lies in the camps and protest sites—waiting for us to choose substance over spectacle. We cannot stay broken forever, but pretending we are whole only prolongs the pain.

Signpost Editorial

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