Northern Maram of Manipur and Southern Angami of Nagaland commemorated a century of their historic brotherhood at Maram Khullen Village in Manipur on April 11.
Morung Express news
Kohima | April 11
The Northern Maram of Manipur and Southern Angami of Nagaland on Saturday commemorated a century of their historic brotherhood at Maram Khullen Village in Manipur, with the community leaders calling for greater Naga unity and urging other communities to emulate the century-old bond. The centenary celebration, organised by the Joint Committee under the aegis of the Northern Maram’s Peoples Organisation (NMPO) and Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO), drew leaders and members from both sides to honour a pact first forged in 1926 at Viswema Village.
The Angami Public Organization (APO), President Thejao Vihienuo in his address asserted that the vast majority of Nagas are yearning for oneness and for those who truly love the Nagas, nothing can be more important than to come closer to one another. He lamented the growing fragmentation of Naga society, where leaders increasingly choose pride over understanding and anger over patience.
“What started as a movement to live as one people and one nation has got us into so many factions. Any society driven by leaders with such attitude is bound to be divided. And we now have plenty of it,” he said.
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In this regard, Vihienuo urged the public present to raise the banner of bond that the ancestors had cemented a hundred years ago and make it an example for the other Nagas to emulate. In as much as the two communities continue to strengthen the bond between them, he asked them to go forward and build similar relationships with other communities. He congratulated the communities for charting a path for peace, urging them to sustain that spirit and remain steadfast in their support for one another.
Maram Union President P Timothy Raichuba underscored that the 1926 pact was not a colonial treaty, a legitimate indigenous accord built on mutual ‘respect, alliance and peaceful coexistence’ and that spirit has endured through the years. “Today we have gathered at this auspicious centenary program to honour 100 years since the historic brotherhood held in 1926 at Viswema village under the SAPO area,” he said.
The leader said that on that day, elders from both tribes came together to forge a sacred pact of brotherhood, pledging to stand by each other in matters of safety, protection and the well-being of their people “and in the true spirit of Naga custom, they declared this bond to last indefinitely.”
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Raichuba appealed both communities that this brotherhood should no longer remain limited only to the northern Maram and southern Angamis but must be formally embraced and upheld by the two entire tribes as a whole. “Let us renew our collective commitment today to mutual aid, unity and peaceful coexistence so that this sacred bond continues to guide and strengthen our communities for another century,” he added.
Greetings were delivered by P Karaiba Francis, President of NMPO, and Er Tepul Hopovi, President of SAPO. Dr Ng Peter, Convenor of JCCCB, gave the welcome address. The traditional blessing and exchange were led by K Namba, Chief of Maram, and Yose Chaya, a Viswema Elder. The opening prayer was pronounced by Rev Zapovil Sophie, Senior Pastor of Jakhama Baptist Church.
Other highlights included the unveiling of a centenary monolith and traditional presentations from the Southern Angami and Northern Maram communities. The programme was emceed by K Karaiba Moses and Kedozo Yhokha, and chaired by Pungdi P Celestine, Member Secretary of JCCCB. A vote of thanks was delivered by Er Swelul Pucho, Member Secretary.
