Zeliangrong Ancestral Land Expedition 2012: “Home Coming To Makuilongdi”
With the coming of the British Colonial Rule and its alliance with the local princely states, Zeliangrong ancestral land had been balkanized and the people are made into a subaltern community spread out across about a dozen districts in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland today. Although numerically they constitute one of the largest tribal communities in the North East they are one of the most underprivileged peoples due to their minority status. Hence, their present society is marked by large scale land and resources alienation, underdevelopment, poverty, illiteracy and social disparity. The protracted conflicts between Naga political groups and the State make their home relatively unsafe and prone to violence.
As a result big waves of Zeliangrong youth migrations to India’s metro-cities in search of educational and employment opportunities come as one of the latest challenges the community faces. Such young Zeliangrong migrants in the cities share many of the traditional oral narratives and historical accounts of their undivided country and the prospects of politically re-uniting their ancestral land in social networks such as Facebook, email and telephone. The idea of this ancestral land expedition took shape through these social interactions.
Apart from this bonhomie and positive feedback to look forward to a greater and common good, Zeliangrong people are besotted with many stereotypes, pride and prejudices that span across the length and breadth of the country. Such deep-rooted internal schisms based on prejudiced personal opinions and parochial outlooks are again one of the most challenging sprites Zeliangrong people are grappling with today.
This “Homecoming to Makuilongdi” is an attempt to redeem ourselves from the arbitrary political boundaries, the protracted armed conflicts, the unending land and resources alienation, the problems of underdevelopment, poverty, illiteracy and social disparities. This expedition is also an attempt to rekindle the bond of Indestructible Bond of Blood Relationship of Zeliangrong people. Not through our own efforts, but through the concerted efforts of the positive and youthful wave of the Zeliangrong people responding optimistically to this call to come home to Makuilongdi and pledge to build themselves a great future. Zeliangrong Ringtelou!
Zeliangrong Citizens Forum,
Expedition Committee
- R. Zeliang Exhorted on Land Protection
Written by: Makam News
Peren: Nagaland Minister for Parliamentary Affairs T.R. Zeliang exhorted the inherent need to protect the lands of indigenous Zeliangrong people at all cost, he expressed great concerned on the diminishing efforts of Zeliangrong lands and natural resources cause by trespassers from others tribes compounded with the ongoing oil exploration exercise without the consent of the indigenous people. The minister was speaking on the occasion of Zeliangrong Ancestral lands Expedition flag off by him on 6, September 2012 at Peren town Hall, Nagaland.
ZCF conducted the Expedition under the Theme “ Home coming to Makuilongdi” for 17 day long venture covering important sides of legendary and historical importance connected with Zeliangrong People in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
After visiting Poilwa /Ranima and Phizo cave and trekking to Herapati at old Poilwa Peren villagers interaction with public was held on 7th, Oct. 2012.
On day two 8th Oct 2012 thirty two member expedition team visited Duilum Roi HE Project and scenic beauty and interaction with public was held in Benreu.
Day 3- 9th Oct. 2012 passed off with Poilwa the joyful trekking and visit at Old Poilwa, Rani Gaidinliu forth traditional Morung (Khangchiu/Luchiu) interaction with public and New Poilwa ancient Monolith supposed to be astro-stone among 44 monoliths was one of unique remnant of Ancient expertise and intelligentsia about reading of nature. And Old Poilwa of the house of a widow when Rani Gaidiliu was arrested by British soldiers, in 1932 land to remind the Heroic struggle of the Ranima at Old Poilwa. Three hundred British army with labours corps and Assam Riffle led by captain MC Donald and Extra Assistant Commissioner Hariblah came to Old Poilwa and arrested Ranima from a house of widow.
Day 4 Oct. 2012 was a busy day visiting many important places after visiting Jalukie town church where interaction with public held. The team had dinner thrown by Camp Hebron –Jalukiekam of Intangki area and interaction with public held at buisumpuikam of the same Ntangkie landed area. Pou Raitu Chawang. President Baudi, Pou N. Diduang Hao, former President AZSU, Pou Penam, Chairman, ZSUN, village Authority staff of Buisumpuiklam youth and students gathered with the feel of home coming meeting Buisumpuikam village where A.Z. Phizo passed through on his journey towards foreign lands, Rani Gaidinnliu visited and a composite Zelianrong populace Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei co-exist in communal harmony.
Day 5- Oct.11th, 2012 came when the expedition team visited Zeikulong village where the night was spent with social interaction. The team visited Maipui kaitao(widow Peak) and held public interaction at Thenjang, Henglep area of Churachanpur District, Manipur. The 7th General conference of AZSU was held at Thengjang in 1983 where Zeliangrong common Language was mooted and passed resolution in the Dimki session and AZSU Anthem was also adopted here. Lu Gugu haralu, Social Activist, and granddaughter of Dr. Haralu (first Naga MBBS Doctor) shared her deep imotion and love for Zeliangrong Unity amidst tears at Thenjang. Dr. Haralu was the younger brother of T. Haralu, first president, Zeliangrong Council (founded at Keisamthong) and brother of N.N. Haralu, Former Ambassador to Panama, Nicaragua and Costarica.
Day 6 Oct. 11th night came when the expedition team halted at Nungba, Manipur via Noney, Awangkhul, Taosem, Khongshang, Rengpang.
Day 7-Oct. 2012 saw the team rushed to Binakandi, Chachar –Hailakandi border in Assam where interaction with public held at Ranigaidinliu Hall near Haipou Jadonang memorial column of 3rd General Ocnference of AZSU -1972 and 17th General Conference of AZSU, 2007 Bhuvon cave( Duilumlong), the abode of western god –Khanglinlung was visited and paid oblation. The sacred cave where Rihang Gairemnang, the failed Makam kingship visited and Nagaraj movement leaders frequented pilgrimage trips.
7 day Oct. 2012 saw the emotional silent observation held at Longkao village in Taodsem, Tamenglong as the mark of homage reverence to Ranima Gaidinliu who breathed her last on 17 Feb. 1993 at her birth place here. Public interaction held at Haipou Jadonang Memorial L.P. School followed by a visit to the tomb of Haipou Jadonang at Puilon Kambiron near Nungba where homage and silent prayer paid.
Day 8- Oct 13th 2012 began with different social interaction programmes at Longmai (Noney) from where the team left for Tamenglong where the night was spent.
Day 9 –Oct. Started with public interaction at Tamenglong were Former Minikster of Manipur D.P. Panmei delivered speech on the underdevelopment of Zeliangrong and rushed to Tharon village halted the night at Tharon village visited Tharon Cave with public interaction programm.
Day 10 –oct. 17th began with lunch at Tharon and halted at Tamei interaction with public. Senior citizen Pou R. Tale who is the only remnant of Zelliangrong elder who participated “Chukthoibe 1stApril 1934 at Tamenglong gave heart throbbing speech. He exhorted that Zeliangrong cannot be separated nor disintegrated as bond by blood and covenant of kindred spirit.
Day 11 Oct. 18th began with an interaction meeting at St. Anthony school, Chingmeirong, Imphal where Pou Janghemlung Panmei MLA gave arousing speech on the unity of Zeliangrong and appreciated ZCF Ancestral expedition which would remain a landmark in Zeliangrong history.
Day-12 Oct. 19th is another important event visiting Ze-Mnui (Yangkhullen) in Senapati Dist., Manipur social interaction programme conducted saw much emotional feeling of a home coming here at the ancient Zeliangrong village connected with the Late of Zeliangrong migration. Ze is considered to be an ancient village where traditional and customary practices are still enforce with many followers of traditional faith resides in a formidable number. Perhaps the prefix for Zeme or Zeliang or Zeliangrong had been derived from here. The typical Zeliangrong Naga dwelling system is still exhibited here though modern touch to infrastructures as well as finished structures is seen that added a scenic beauty. Pou Rangro Herie, Convenor, Pou Lumpiulung Kamson led the thrilling shouts of slogan “Zeliangrong Ringtelo” amidst explanation of it significance during the social interaction moments.
Day – 15 Oct. Saturday at Oklong (Gongphungning/ Chawangphungning) gave the warmest touch of home to recollect the eternal memoir, the great Zeliangrong ancestral lived long ago. It is a site in Makuilongdi area and a written facts about the perpetual kindred and the strategic planning for a Zeliangrong vision was circulated from Pou Akham Gonmei President, AZSU & Literary Secy. NSF (1980-81) who consented to give speech on “ the relevance of Makuilongdi today” could not attend to interaction programme due to certain circumstances office or home front.
The ZCF planned to erect “Makuilongdi Tusom” here at the original site of Makuilongdi remains though the same was not erected that day.
Day-16 Oct. 21 at Makuilongdi (New site Day 17-oct. 21 at Makuilongdi- (new site established on 1.5.1979) was a two days affair extending 22.10.2012. the enthusiastic interaction programmes speeches on different topics including “shrinking Zeliangrong lands the challenge from within and without” by Poujenlung Gonmei, Research scholar, JNU. New Delhi “One People, One Vision, One Voice” by Pou Rengro Herie, Convenor, ZCF, and different items of entertainment like Zeliangrong folk song, dancing with locals folks of Makuilongdi in the night were seen. ZCF foundation was observed on 22. 10. 2012 at Makuilongdi with Grand Feast.
Those participated in the expedition:RangroHerie, Lumpiulungkamson, MajabungGangmei, Jonah Kamei, John TingenlungPamei(AZSU Prez), GainithoiGonmei (Ex-VP- NSUD), SironbouNewmai, N.K Job, John Daime, Rokos Kamei, Philip Maringmei,amei, Angoule Newme, Gugu Haralu, Hungoule Hegu, Alang Hegu, Gonmei Meridinliu, Kamei Harengliu, Kamei Serinah, Kamei Jenny, D. Percy, Namjaigai Kamei, Robert Gonmei, Alex Newmai, Albert, Lu Aheli Moitra, Editor of Morung Express Nagaland, Pou Kuripou Gonmei (Editor, Makam Post) Pou Kachangthai Gonmei (Film Producer/ Director, ZFDA), D.S. Stephen Zeme (Chairman ZSUM) Gangmei Grace.
However, said the ZCF, in all the Zeliangrong inhabited areas the ZCF had travelled, “it is disheartening to see that most of the roads are weathered out, telecommunication facilities are almost non-existent and power supply is irregular. The ZCF would like to appeal to all representatives and respective governments of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland to look into these areas and redress grievances of the people at the earliest”. ZCF will take up similar endeavors in the areas which were not covered in the concluded expedition in the near future.
The ZCF, moreover, has expressed gratitude to village chairmen/authorities, church leaders, villagers and several generous hosts who received the team warmly and extended maximum help and cooperation.
The ZCF also extended appreciation and gratitude to those who donated cash, vehicles, medical aid and other items. The backbone support was through voluntary sacrifices extended by the All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AMN), Zeliangrong Youth Front (AMN), Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur, Makuilongdi Village Authority Council and other well wishers.