Seven Khiamniungan brothers, the oldest at 73 and the youngest aged 26 years old from Myanmar came to take part in the Hok-Ah festival at Langnok village held from January 16-17. Two were from Khamti district and five from Lahe district of Myanmar. While some of the members could effort to come by bike half way, the others came by foot taking three days to make it to the destination of Langnok Village inorder to participate in the Hok-Ah festival organised by the Nokhu Range Public Organization.
Hok-Ah, an important festival of the Khiamniungan Nagas, is one of the major festivals of celebrations in the month of January. It marks the end of all agricultural activities and begins a time to rest and give thanks to God for the bountiful harvest and triumph over adversities throughout the year.
Despite greater challenges, the group showed resilience and determination to meet their brothers separated by the borders and witness the festival. “We are separated by the border but we have come happily to thus festival,” they said. It takes one whole day to reach Noklak by bike. “We come to Noklak to buy Diesal starting our journey early in the morning and reaching in the evening,” they said.
Border don’t seems to affect their bonds and relationship they share. ‘Our forefathers always shared a strong relationship, we are the sons of same father,’ says 73 years old Khumong. “We were one but got separated by the Indian government,” he further says.
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The group expressed their happiness and appreciation for the wonderful hospitality provided by the Langnok brothers and hopes to come back in the next year again, adding that they are happy to witness their Khiamniungan brothers in Nagaland progressing in many ways.
Separation seem to have caused so much of pain and sufferings to the Khiamniungan brothers of Myanmar. The group laments sorrowfully about the conflicts in Myanmar rendering them helpless. “People are suffering and dying because of the war. We are bearing all the pains and living this life. When we come here( Noklak), we are heartfelt to see good roads and houses. We cannot see any development in Myanmar,” says 57 year old Chai. “We are Khiamniungan as one but separated as Indian and Myanmar,” he adds.
They strongly asserts that border cannot separate them saying “We don’t want this border fencing dividing us as India and Myanmar because we never lived under anyone. We requests our Khiamniungan brothers of India to fight for the removal of the fencing.”
‘I walked 3-4 days to reach and I will go back walking. I don’t know in how many days I will reach while returning. I will go back and tell stories of what I have seen and I will come back next year. Though we are separated, we will always look for one another,’ remarks Chai.
The journey of crossing the border: walking on foot or riding on a bike on a poor road condition to attend the festival reflects their love towards their Khiamniungan brothers of India and also the spirit oneness in embracing culture.
