DOING AWAY WITH OUR SMALL OUTLOOK

 T. L Kipgen

In the whole universe, we (ipi ham speakers) may be the only tribal community who cannot come to a consensus for the tribes name. I personally feel that the reason for our differences in what should be our tribes name stems out from our reluctant to think outside the box of clannish outlook. Sometimes I do wonder that I belong to no tribe because in the end they (Meitei or Naga tribes) identify me either with my clans name or nomenclatures name. (Manipur context).

I hardly observe any tribes apart from us arguing about clan especially on social media. We can find reasons to argue because we are over clan conscious than any other Manipur tribes. Are we still going to hold on to the legacy of clan jingoism? Others are fairly united because they do not practice the legacy that we have mastered. Who is to blame and why should we carry on the legacy nobody bothers about? The strain of clans loyalty and pride is forcing the present generation to see the differences (among the same clans of a tribe) which is actually not there in reality.

Correct me if Im wrong, there are no tribes in Manipur other than us who have a clan based organization. Im not questioning about the rational behind the clan based institutions which is still prevalent in our community. But what is worrying is that the innocent young men and women may misinterpret the very purpose for which it is instituted. There are every chances that they may develop remote feeling if confined gatherings and conferences are frequent. This will create a lot of confusion to young innocent people. There may be many advantages of having such institutions but what about the disadvantages? This is a chronic illness we've been going through.

I felt excited to read the initiative taken up by the Reconciliation Forum (RF) in Bengaluru published in Eimi Times dated December 7. Mr Misao Hejang Hangmi MSW (Convenor, RF-Bengaluru) rightly pointed out the danger for the second single largest community in Manipur of becoming a minority because the same language speaking people will be counted as 3 different entities (Any Kuki Tribes, Thadou and Mate) in 2022 census. RF is a great move to do away with our confrontationist stand. It is a welcome move to overcome our clan centric approach. Moreover, if it can act as a deterrence to those vested interest who try to disintegrate us for their own profit, then it will be a huge bonus for us. As pointed by him, we need an early reconciliation and consensus for building a single and united tribe where all clans from B to T having Saipikhup, Khamtang etc as traditional dresses satisfactorily stick together.