https://www.facebook.com/507658375946019/

Khawvaiphei University, Sialkal, Aizawl (2026)

22/08/2024

PU SAWMKHAWLAL VAIPHEI, MA, LLB
A charismatic leader and the first Vaiphei Post-Graduate

Pu Sawmkhawlal Vaiphei, the son of Tawngkhawkam and Hawiting, was born in Lungchuang village on January 8, 1934. His educational journey began at Mualdak School and Maite ME School. He passed matriculation in 1961 and culminated in a Master’s degree from Gauhati University in 1967 becoming the first Vaiphei Post-Graduate along with Kaihau Vaiphei (L), IDAS. Following a brief stint as a lecturer at Churachandpur College from November, 1967, Pu Sawmkhawlal’s talents and leadership acumen propelled him to the presidency of the VNO (Vaiphei National Organisation). During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in resolving community issues, particularly during the tumultuous period of the Mizo insurgency movement in Manipur and Mizoram in the late 1960s.

Pu Sawmkhawlal emerged as a beacon of hope for the Vaiphei people, admired for his tenacity and unwavering resolve. His exceptional leadership even inspired songwriter Khaitinlel to immortalize him in the song ‘Puitu Ginum’, portraying him as the ideal leader. However, his promising trajectory was tragically cut short by health complications in 1969. Pu Sawmkhawlal’s legacy extends beyond his earthly accomplishments. He left behind his grieving wife, Apuithiau, and daughters, Tingkhawlian(L) and Dr. Tinglemsiam @ Dr.Asem Vaiphei, along with countless admirers. While his meteoric rise to prominence was curtailed by fate, the passage underscores the enduring nature of divine grace as opposed to the transcience of wordly fame.

21/08/2024

PU S. PAUNEIKHAI VAIPHEI
(1921-2014)
Ex-Deputy Minister

Born in October 1921 in the picturesque village of Chawngkhawzo, Churachandpur district, he was the only son among three children born to (L)Thangminpau Suantak and (L) Thenghawi. He is the proud father of S.Minlianthang Vaiphei, a retired IAS officer, and Dr. Joseph Suantak. Until his health declined due to senile dementia in 2011, he would regale visitors and family members with fascinating accounts of his adventures and the rich cultural heritage of the Vaiphei tribe and its kindred tribes in the Indo-Bangla-Myanmar borderlands.

Pu Pauneikhai’s educational journey began at Chawngkhawzo Govt. School in 1925, followed by stints at Kangvai Lower Primary School and Churachandpur Mission Junior High School. He later pursued a diploma in pharmacy at Diphu Hospital, Assam between 1951 and 1952.

Throughout his illustrious career, Pu Pauneikhai has been instrumental in numerous socio-political initiatives and milestones, including the historic Vaiphei Students’ Conference in 1939, where he played a crucial role in the establishment of Zillai (Vaiphei Students’ Association). He has served in various capacities, including Head Pandit at Kangvai Govt. School, Headmaster at Chawngkhawzo Govt. School, Compounder/Pharmacist under the Govt. of Manipur, General Secretary and President of the Vaiphei National Organisation (VNO), and Deputy Minister in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, among others.

His contributions to the development of Manipur’s hill areas are legion, with notable achievements including the establishment of schools, social welfare centers, dispensaries, health centers, and suspension bridges. His unwavering commitment to public service has earned him numerous accolades, including the coveted ‘K*t Pa’ award in 2002. Despite his passing, Pu Pauneikhai’s legacy continues to inspire generations, cementing his place as a true icon in the annals of Manipur’s history.
Courtesy: The Vaiphei Archive

20/08/2024

PU VUMPAU VAIPHEI
The founding father of Zillai (Vaiphei Students’ Association)

Vumpau Vaiphei was born in the year 1913 in the verdant of a small village, Maite. Renowned for his impeccable demeanor and intellectual acuity, he pursued formal education until the culmination of the seventh standard. A seminal moment arrived in the 31st of May, 1939, while still a sixth grader, when his visionary spirit gave birth to Zillai, a vanguard organization representing the aspirations of Vaiphei students. Assuming the mantle of General Secretary, with Khupzamang as Chairman, and a constellation of members including Sawitinpau, Khaitinkam, Sawitinkai, Genlian, and Khupkhawlal as his cohort, Vumpau ignited a collective fervor. An unprecedented show of solidarity was witnessed as eleven Vaiphei village chiefs contributed a princely rupee each, their coffers augmented by the enthusiastic participation of the populace. The conference that ensued was a triumph, marking a watershed moments in the annals of Vaiphei history. It served as a resounding affirmation of a shared identity, a dream meticulously nurtured and visualized.

The trajectory of Vumpau Vaiphei’s life was adorned with numerous milestones. In 1940, he assumed the pioneering role of founding President of the Vaiphei Tribe Conference, a platform convened in the idyllic village of Bualtang. A paragon of social activism and a visionary statesmen, he etched his name in history as the first Vaiphei to possess a truck, a feat accomplished in the year 1940. The tapestry of his life unfolded further as he migrated to Leisang village in 1946, before he ultimately embarked on his celestial journey on November 18, 2004, in the serene village of Torbung village.

23/09/2022

Betty Lala in PhD sangtak a zo; University ma sepna mungal

Nk. Betty Lala Vaiphei d/o Rev PG Lala Vaiphei & Pi Sawnkim of Lingsiphai (tulaitak ah Pune ah um) chun Kyushu University, Fukoka, Japan ah Ph.D in Architecture (Building Physics) in Energy and Environmental Engineering (EEE) chu sangtak a zilzo in Doctorate degree piak in a um hi. Zia mai chu hilo in a zilna ah chawihawina Commendation Award le a sâng a, a zilna University ah sem zawm ngal ding a hi. Ama hin 2018 k*m a khan Japan government nuai ah Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology (MEXT) nuai ah Scholarship mu'n k*m 3 a la zil hi.
Nk Betty Lala hin k*m 2014 a khan IIT Roorkee apat in Master in Architecture chu first class in a la zo a, Manipal University in le Asst. Professor nà le a la sem hi.
Kipakpina sangtak lân kawmin maban ah a lawtinto zel i dawisak hi.

2015 k*m ah Nk Betty tawh Khawvaiphei.com team holimna a nuai ah sim utte á dingin-

BETTY LALA TALKS TO YOU
Khawvaiphei.com in Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka ah Asst Prof. Betty Chong Elizabeth @ Betty Lala chu vena nei in holimpina a kinei a, kiholimna tangpi hiat thei ding dawl khenkhatte chu a nuai ah gual hi a hi.

PERSONAL PROFILE:
Min: Betty Chong Elizabeth @ Betty Lala
Nu leh Pa Min: Rev. P.G.Lala and Mrs. Sawnkim
Pianni: 24th December 1986.
Home Address: Old Sangvi, Pune.
Present Address: Manipal, Karnataka.
Asst Prof. Manipal University, Manipal
Permanent Add: Lingsiphai, CC Pur
Class X: Grace Academy, Dehra Dun
Class XII: Grace Academy, Dehra Dun
Graduation: Dr. D Y Patil College of Architecture, Pune University
IIT Roorkee Master of Architecture = 84.4%

KVC: Zillai chanpite a ding ah dawisakna thumawp bang gen nawp la nei em?

Betty: To begin with, may all glory and all praises be to our God, who has proved His faithfulness continuously all through every step of my life. And my hearty gratitude and thanks to the Khawvaiphei team for taking time out of their busy schedules and their encouragement, their effort to visit and have a memorable time. I am honoured and deeply appreciate their gesture.
It’s an honor to have this privilege and I am humbled by the gesture I am bestowed on. Nothing I have achieved is extra ordinary or out of my talents, but because the Lord has been faithful and because of my parents and elders prayer support and encouragement. Growing up in a land full of opportunities, where I stand is still a stepping stone for future endeavors, and a humble start to what I hope to someday achieve. I have no experience to encourage the youth, nor the brilliance to counsel anyone, but with the capacity I can, I hope that my few words can be a source of encouragement. I believe that with the power of hard work and ambition, continuous dedication and focus, believing and praying, no one can sn**ch your dreams. Hurdles will be there, and no successful journey can be an easy road; but persistence and hard work will never betray the efforts. The land holds many opportunities and I want to encourage everyone, that doing well in academics and studying hard will be never let anyone down. Inculcate the habit to study further, learn more, be attentive and aware and dream big. We all are talented in ways we don’t realize and are blessed with capabilities all special and unique, explore all opportunities and every possible dreams, aim high and work hard unceasingly. Big world it is, the bigger the opportunities and though small we are, big changes we can make.

KVC: Zillai Architecture lunglutte a dinga zilna institute banggual gual a um em? Chuleh zilna ding ah compulsory subject banggual lak a ngai diam?
Betty: Architecture lunglutte a ding in Class XII ah Mathematics, Physics leh Chemistry compulsory ah lak a ngai hi. Chuleh, India gam sung ah IIT, NIT leh private institute tamtak zil the na ding a um a. Zia institute haw ah lut theina dinga chun AIEEE(All India Engineering Entrance Examination) ahiloleh IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination) ah entrance through a ngai hi. For the above tests, knowledge of mathematics is crucial.
There is also The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), where the drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, critical thinking ability along with aptitude is tested. For further studies i.e., post-graduate and doctoral programs, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is vital for admission to prestigious and renowned colleges.

KVC: Architecture subject hi eimi laka vang mama hi a hiat a hia, zia ziaka chun zia lam kai hi neukhat genlatna lei nei piak thei diam?
Betty: Architecture includes work in the construction industry and are involved with designing new buildings, alterations to existing buildings, or advising on the restoration and conservation of old properties. Architects work on individual buildings or on large development schemes, and are responsible for the design of the surrounding landscape and spaces. We also work in process of town planning and city development along with environmental impacts.
We help in creating building designs and highly detailed and liaising with construction professionals and working closely with a team of other professionals such as building service engineers, construction managers, quantity surveyors and architectural technologists.

KVC: Numei hina dawl ah lekha sang tak zil hi banggual in la gel em? Pha lasakpi lam a h’em?
Betty: Absolutely yes. In an age where women empowerment and equal stand against men has been encouraged and given emphasis, I highly recommend that every individual, no matter what the gender, should study hard and take the chance to be independent and successful in their fields. Gone are the days when girls’ duties were limited to getting married, doing house chores and procreating. This age, we stand equal to our male counterparts – in the field of academics, sports, any field of work or in carving a name for ourselves. My opinion is that every individual must understand the value of studying and importance of academics- realizing that becoming someone, not necessarily great- but someone independent and self-sustaining should be everyone’s primary goal. Its not only about gender equality, it’s also about personal need to fulfill their dreams and accomplish what they intend to. Parents, elders and teachers must encourage and support the aspiration to raise self-confidence and motivation among girls to pursue their interests and ambitions.

15/03/2022

KIPAKPINA

PU LALLIANMANG KHAUTE @ Pu LM Khaute, IPS(Retd.)
Tuchung Manipur Legislative Assembly Election 2022 ah Churachandpur A/C apat MLA ah teltina um Pu Lallianmang Khaute @ Pu LM Khaute i kipakpi takzet ua; i pauchapnate uh leh i panlaknate uh thawn lo a hi dan mu in a um hi.

Pu LM Khaute hi a mi a sa ngaina, zillaite a dinga theitawp sua a panla zing mi a hi. Tuchung election ah lawtinna a hung chan hi i ki-atpi mama ua; i nam a ding leh gam a dinga na tam zaw sem a sep theina hun lemchang a hung hi i kinem a, i pauchapna uh le a hi ngal hi.
Pu LM Khaute hi tu dinmun ah i MLA neisun uh a hia; i nei masak pen uh a hi leh a phamta Pu S.Pauneikhai Vaiphei, Ex.Deputy Minister a hi.

"Puitu ginum ka ngai u'i; nam lungsiat mi ginum. Nangma za a hi ka dawi" tia la i la sak sek uh a guitunna hung hi heh aw...

18/06/2020

CONGRATULATIONS
Isaac Pulallungmuan Vaiphei (s/o Genkhawlian Vaiphei)
who studied at Mount Olive School, Kangvai, Churachandpur, Manipur has become the youngest student(at the age of 12) in Manipur to have passed HSLC examination under BSEM in 2020. He has cleared the said exam by securing 72%. We congratulate him for his stellar performance in the exam and we wish him the very best in his future endeavour. May his success continue to inspire the other zillais in the days to come.

Isaac hi zillai sung bep hiloin northeast India sung a dinga zillai naupang pen pawl 10 passed um sun hi dinga ginchak a hi. A lawtinna hin i nam uh a chawisanga, i kipakpi tak zet uh a hi. Mabanah le lawtinna hawizaw leh sangzaw a hun mu i dawisak ua, i nam a dinga mi pawimaw leh kinepna a hung hi i dawisak uh a hi. Pathianin a ma pui zawm zel hen ti hi i pauchapna uh a hi.

Isaac tawh holimna:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oieAbA4TEz0&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2IKYGA3TrI_BvwVXHB9Cu79rC9A4sTdmrlaASINB2uWsaPkVAd10Km9Bg

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCIzWDLwNpY&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3R_t8Vf8PJG0xDFROGM7BthAduCfnMQaQKsoY3M1U9Br8nOIbsGk_MljE

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=579216459697789

31/05/2020

81 veina Zillai Day Chibai!

ZILLAI KHANGTHU

May 31, 2020

Covid-19 ziaka buai veng vung kala Zillai k*m 81 tinna melmu thei dinga ei puitungtu Pathian kiang in lunggiltak in kipakthu i gen masa’i. Chuleh, khawvel muntin ah Zilai um zosia 81st Zillai Day Chibai ka hun buk hi!

Zia tiang tuntheina dinga hotu masa mi tawmngaite, Nam maban ding khuala ngaitua zingte, gim-le-chawl khawksaloa pang zosiate, ngaituana tamtak seng leh nei-le-lam le itlo ah pangte zosia ZÂNA sangpen I pia a hi.

Covid 19 natna hileng ziak in 81st Zillai Day chu mang thei dinmuna I umlo uhi khawk a kisa takzet hi. Himaleh, mani umna mun chiat ah Zillai Day hi geldawk thak thei leu hin ti I ki chial nuam masa’i.

Vaiphei nam sung ah pawl masapen hi ding in k*m 1939 k*mtawp lam in “Vaiphei Zillai Conference” masapen chu Maite khua, Thanlon Sub-division, Churachandpur ah mat in a la um hi. Zia lai ah puitute chu a hiu leh - Pu Khupzangam - Chairman, Pu Vumpau - General Secretary leh Committee member te chu Pu Sawiitinpau, Pu Khaitinkam, Pu Sawiitinkai, Pu Genlian and Pu Khupkhawlal te a hiu. Zia hun lai a chun tu dinmun guala student vai bep hilo in, Vaiphei sung ah pawl umsun a hina tawh nampi vai thil zosia mawpuakna a la lau hi. Tichun, k*m sin phial in Vaiphei Zillai Conference chu a mangto ua, a hinla, k*m khenkhat a chu khawvel buaina ziak leh buaina zat chuam chuam ziak in a la mang thei puau.

Zillai Day a hi dungzuiin Zillai khangthu (history) ah tepte kham ting khenkhat vak sulang hi tiu.

👉1939: Vaiphei Zillai kiti k*m tawp lam in Maite khua’n a la kiphudawk hi.

👉May 31, 1957: Zia k*m a hin Pengjang khua, Churachandpur district ah Conference a matna uh ni nunung pen ni’n ‘Vaiphei Zillai’ kiti chu ‘Zillai’ bep ti ding leh 31st May chu k*msin ah Zillai Day ah mat ding in palai chiakhawmte chun thupukna a la siam u'i.

👉1974: Zia k*m ahin Lingsiphai khua, Churachandpur district ah a 23 veina Conference matna a chun Zillai Souvenir masapen ding ‘The First Fruit’ kiti Pu HK Shyama Neihsial Editor hina nuai in a la kisuadawk hi.

👉1983: Zillai duthusam gualtak ah function loa um chu Pu S. Minlianthang Vaiphei malatna Hilltown ah Zillai suk-hal thak a hia, ziana chun Zillai kiti chu Zillai (North East India) ti dingin thupukna a la siam u'i.

👉1989: Zia k*m ahin Pu T. Manga Vaiphei, President hina nuai in Kangvai khua ah Golden Jubilee thupitaka mat in a um a, Manipur CM RK Jaichandra chu Chief Guest hi dinga ko a hi. Golden Jubilee Souvenir suadaw a hi ban in Golden Jubilee suang le phu in a um hi.

👉December 17-21, 1990: Zillai malatna zia hun ahin Dongjang khua, Sangaikot Sub-division ah Zillai-Simlai Joint Conference masapen nei in a um hi. Zia hun matna Chairman chu Pu Luttinthang leh Secretary ah Pu Thongkhomang a hiu. Zia hi Zillai bep hilo, Vaiphei khangthu ah tepte kham ting khat chu Baite leh Vaiphei kigawpkitna (re-integration) hun a hiziak in.

👉June 5, 1998: Zia ni hin Kangvai khua special assembly nei in a um a, ziana chun Zillai (NEI) kiti chu Zillai General Headquarters hi ding in namdetna a nei u'i.

👉December 12, 2000: K*m 1990 lam ah Zillai leh Simlai (Baite Students’ Organisation) kigawp ding ti panlakna chu zia ni hin Dongjang khua ah meeting um in, Pu Letsei Vaiphei, President in Simlai leh Zillai kigawm a hidan official ah puandawna a nei hi.

👉December 17, 2009: Zia ni hin Moreh ah Zillai Conference Hall sakna ding suangphu hawnna Pu P. Vaiphei, IAS in a la nei hi.

👉2010: Zia k*m a hin Pu Lamkhawgen Vaiphei, President hina nuai in Zillai Welfare Committee (ZWC) kiti siamdaw a hi ban in Chanchinpha hung lut k*m 100 tinna hiatzingna Marathon race thupitak nei in a la um hi.

👉December 10-11, 2014: Zia k*m a hin Kangvai khua’n Platinum Jubilee thupitak mai mat a hia, Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh in Chief Guest hikawm in a uap hi. Platinum Jubilee Souvenir suadaw a hi ban in suangphu kilawmtak le tundaw a hi. Zia hi Zillai khangthu ah programme kimangte lak ah thupipen hi nalai dinga ginchak a hi.

👉2018: Constitution amendment thak pen kimat dungzui in Zillai kivaipuakdan sân danglam in a um hi. Zia dungzui a chun Zillai chu District – Block – Branch – Unit tia kivaipuakna siam a hi.

👉Zillai Constitution: A kiphudaw nung k*m 25 nung in Zillai Constitution chu siam ding ngaituana a la um pan hi. Zia chu Pu S. Dolian Capvung, President tuklai 1964 vel a hi. Zia nung k*m 1995 a chun Pu Luttinthang Chairman hina Review Committee kibawl in, 2011 k*m in Pu Sawiminlian Lengen, MCS mapuina review & admendment a la kibawl kit hi.

👉Zillai Motto: Pu S. Dolian Capvung in a la puakdaw “NOT ONLY IN WORDS, BUT ALSO IN DEEDS” chu Pu Sawitinkhup Vaiphei, Ex-General Secretary in chawmzaw leh kitupzaw ding tia a puakdaw “IN WORDS & IN DEEDS” kiti chu pawm leh namdet in a la um hi.

👉Zillai Emblem: Zia hi le Pu S. Dolian Capvung in a puakdaw, Pu Sawitinkhup Vaiphei in a la puapha, 1958 k*m ah namdet in a la um hi.

👉Zillai Anthem: “Pathian hepina zal in” kiti Pu K. Paucha in 1971 k*m ah a la phuak chu Pengjang khua ah Zillai Day matna May 31, 1972 k*m ah Zillai anthem hi dinga namdet a hi.

👉Zillai Meritorious Award: K*m sina zilna lam ah lawting chungchuangte chawihawina piak in a um zing hi.

👉Zillai Educational Foundation (ZEF): Constituion ah a um dungzui in Zillai GHQ nasepna zangkhai zaw ding ngimna'n ZEF chu bawldaw in a um a, a mau in k*m 5 dan zel ah puitu hina kisâng kual zel ding a hi. Zia hi Zillai GHQ in a kaihuai zel ding ti a hi.

(Thulâkna: Zillai Platinum Jubilee Souvenir)

15/05/2020

Vaiphei Lekhamal(alphabet) Lamdaw

10/10/2019

THE THAZÎNG LAP FESTIVAL OF THE VAIPHEIS
(Translated excerpts from the article ‘Vaipheite Thazîng Lap’ written by Rev. S Prim Vaiphei)

The Thazîng Lap festival is an important K*t (festival) celebrated by the Vaiphei tribe. It is a festival that is exclusive to the Vaipheis as there is no evidence of kindred tribes having a similar festival. ‘Thazîng’ in Vaiphei means Autumn while ‘Lap’ means ‘prior to, until, or before the coming’. So literally, Thazîng Lap k*t roughly means the festival that is celebrated till the onset of Autumn. The Thazîng Lap is essentially a recreational post sowing festival that takes place after the entire sowing process including w**ding, clearing and burning of fields, transplanting and sowing of paddy etc is completed during the Muktha or the summer monsoon season. After the tiring sowing season is over, Vaipheis engage in recreation and festivities that stretch into the Autumn season which is called thazîng-tha (August to September).

The antecedents or origin of the Thazîng Lap festival is traced back to a period in Vaiphei history when various Vaiphei clans inhabited a settlement called Khawvaiphei, believed to be located in present day Chin hills, Burma (Myanmar). Its celebration as a major festival of the Khawvaiphei settlers can be found from around the year 1560. Originally, the Thazîng Lap festival was not an annual festival. Year long Meticulous planning and preparations seems to have taken place in the years the Thazîng Lap k*t was to be celebrated.

Siamkhuangpua( Drums in the field ):
In the years when the Thazîng Lap celebrations were due, young men and women carried drums to work in the paddy fields. Beating of drums and joyous song accompanied work in anticipation of festivities that lied ahead. While singing to the drum beats, young men sang their part while young women followed suit in a manner resembling the tenor in a choir.

In the morning, on the way to the fields, they sang :-
“ Simni kawl ah a suak hi,
tang le a vangchuang hi,
lungnemnu thaw lam ka ti ”
( “The sunrises from the mountains steep,
And the hills with more brightness keep,
Bringing an end too to my beloved’s sleep” ).

During the day while working in the fields they sang
“ a ni sun kimtai la thiangte'n bual khawmna”
(‘The midday sun in its rich splendor binds us all” ).
The midday song was sung as they rested to partake their lunch in the fields.

And in the evening as they got ready to return home after work, they thus sang-
“ Chia phat tha leh van dum diai diai,
a lâi chawi gil albang a lawi hi,
Chia phat lel thei lo chawngpu lung mawl ;
Chia phat lel thei lo – chia phat ka lel maw dang em,
Phung khat ka baw phat le phatchuam ka ngai hi ”
( “The evening sky turns blue saying it's time to leave,
Way to our homes it shows, like the hen its chicks to the pen,
Joyless is this feeling to my simple soul;
Unhappy is the Time to leave – a moment to dread.
Uprooting a single last w**d,
This precious moment I make worthwhile.” )

FEASTING :
At the time of the Thazîng Lap festival, as in the Agape feast mentioned in the bible, young men and women brought along their lunches and feasted together at a common place. This feasting continued for seven days.

DANCING :
Along with the feasting, young men and women danced together in joyous celebration. Young men tied a head scarf called tukpâk around their heads made out of a braid of 3 or 4 large cotton threads. An eagle feather was pierced into their hair and fastened to the scarf. The young women in turn put on a decorative head gear made out of bamboo and laced with c**k feathers.

THAZÎNG LAP CELEBRATIONS AT SALAM PATONG in 1830 :

In Manipur the earliest instance of the thazîng Lap festival was celebrated in the year 1830 at Kulbung Veng in Salam Patong Village, Sadar Hills. A Commemorative stone marking the event stands to this day at the place where the festivities were held. As a young boy I remember going with other boys to record our growing heights by making marks on the commemorative stone laid down by our ancestors.

The Thazîng Lap festival held at Salam Patong took place during a time when the Vaiphei settlers were enjoying a time of peace. Without fear of war or enemies, and with all the farming work complete, the festivities became extended and continued for a period of three months. So engrossed were they with their dancing and revelries that the Vaiphei settlers forgot about the passage of time and that their crops were already ready for harvest. A bird flying past them from the fields chanced to drop a grain of paddy in their midst thus awakening them to the realization that it was already time for harvest.

The important Vaipheis of that period who led the Thazîng Lap festival were :-
1. Sawipimang Luangte, also called “Medawng”, was the chief organizer.
2. Vungzangul Leisel
3. Lutzathang Neihsial
4. Neihen Lutngul
5. Semthat Thangniang
6. Pauhen Mate.
7. Tuanthaw Pulam
8. Ngulhawl Gangte
9. Sellunthang Khaute

BRIEF HISTORY OF SALAM PATONG :
Salam Patong occupies an important place in Vaiphei history as it was the first major settlement where people from different clans lived together for a considerable time. From Salam Patong the Vaipheis branched out into other areas setting up new settlements. When the Meitei King gave out a clarion call to people for digging of the Kangla moat, Ngulzatong (Patong) , son of Zakhawthang, went to Imphal to join the royal effort of digging the Kangla moat. The remuneration Patong received from the king for his services rendered still remains preserved to this day.

The Meitei king referred to Salam as Salam -Patong after PuNgulzatong and the name has stuck to this day. So, Salam Patong remains the earliest known Vaiphei settlement to be recognized by the royal court of the Meitei Kings.

Once the Meitei King Ngameingam or Maharaja Chandrakirti, in preparation of an impending war with the Burmese, began searching for people who had first hand knowledge of the Burmese people and land. Finding such people became a difficult proposition for the king. Meanwhile the Vaipheis declared their knowledge of Burma to the king who readily employed them as he prepared for war. It is said that 59 members of the Vaiphei tribe along with other kindred tribesmen joined Maharaja Chandrakirti, who came with a 1000 strong army, in the ensuing war with the Kamhau Sukte of Burma. Despite initial gains in the first 9 months of the war, the Manipuris were eventually defeated. The behaviour of the Vaipheis and other kindred tribesmen who became reluctant to fight against the Kamhau Sukte,with whom they had kinship ties, may have played a role in the eventual defeat. The defeat was accompanied by a great loss of lives to royal troops. Chandrakirti became extremely despondent in defeat and sat by the riverside mourning his loss. Just then a Vaiphei warrior, Pumjam Neihsial, approached the King crying out the words “ As long as I live, My king shall not die ”.He then fired his musket into the air. Looking at his action the King was filled with renewed hope and smiled. After this, the Vaiphei warriors safely escorted Maharaja Chandrakirti all the way to Imphal where they were given a royal welcome.

28/03/2019

Reinvigorating the AWL-LÊN festival
-Manglunsang Vaiphei

The phrase ‘Awl-lên’ is a Vaiphei dialect, where ‘awl’ means calm or tranquil or lax and ‘lên’ means period. In short, it is a festival celebrated during the period of laxity or calamity. This festival is celebrated in the month of February where hill cultivators particularly the Vaiphei community were in a period of rest from heavy work of felling trees for the next phase of cultivation. Occasionally, people harvest during the months of October and November and the following months were the periods of satisfaction which they cherished and enjoyed with pomp and gaiety until a new season approaches again. They offered thanksgiving prayer to their Almighty God for the abundance of food which they had reaped for the last season. The Awl-lên is a post-harvest festival where people asked God to pour with blessings for the next season.

The Vaiphei tribe have two festivals in their own. One is Thazing Lap, a pre-harvest festival which is celebrated in the month of September while the other is the much awaited Awl-lên festival to be celebrated at the end of February. The 2019 Awl-lên festival was celebrated on February 28 under the banner, “La na sep phat ziak in la nam malzawl in um ina” (Your good deeds shall bring blessings to the Community), which was hosted by the YVA (Young Vaiphei Association), GHQs. The people from different regions of Myanmar, Mizoram, Assam and other northeastern states assembled in this vigorous festival. The tribesmen of northeast India, have their own distinct traditions and indeed, have their own origin based on the Cave or hollow earth theory. And no doubt, it is true by oral traditions such as folk tales, folk songs, lore and their genealogical trees. The most upheld theory of the Vaiphei history can be traced back to their progenitor, Pu Zahawng, who left his native home(cave) and settled in a village called Khawvaiphei in the erstwhile siyin region. From time to time, they practiced shifting cultivation and till now, they continued to practice this traditional type of cultivation. During the days of heavy work, they toiled and persisted in the field so as to get an enormous food production which could suffice them for the year. Season changes, the period of Awl-lên approaches!

In the olden days, the festival had been like. The Tângsampu(Village Crier) under the command of the Hausapu(Village Chief) will declare the Awl-lên festival with a cry, “Ka chûn leh zua, ka khaw mipite, Khuanu malzawlna I dawng kit tau; Awl-lên tha’n ei ngâk hi!” (0, my dear and near ones, we earn God’s blessings; and the Awl-lên awaits us!). Then, people irrespective of their age groups will come out plying in the field to hear their Chief’s arrangement for the cherished festival which is not celebrated annually. This festival is celebrated when the community could gather plenty of foods for the past year and to pay thanksgiving to the Almighty so as to continue with the blessings. Simply, this is a post-harvest festival performed after the grains are transported from the Jhums and stored in the granaries. This festival is hosted by group of fervent individuals which usually lasted for 2-3 days depending upon their enthusiasm. But, when uncomfortable circumstances came up in the village like kidona (war), mithina (funeral), etc. it ceased. On the eve of this festival, bachelors and some brave men went to the forests for sadel/gamvâk (hunting), where wild animals had to be killed on the first day of the festival. They killed the wild animals such as wild boar, deer, etc. into pieces and grill in the bonfire. In the subsequent night, the most interesting programmes accrued with the youths bringing out several instruments like Khuang(drum), Dâkpi(big gong), Gawsem(flute), Selangdâk(modern day guitar), Sialki(horn of mithun) and Pêngkul(trumpet). Several dances like Pheiphit Lâm using Gawsem and Khuang, Dâkcha Lâm using Dâk, Sialki and Khuang were performed by men and women in the celebration site. Of all these, the Vaiphei community had its most popular dance called Lâmkual, which featured boys and girls with majestic moves encircling the bonfire. In the daytime, recreational activities called Gualnawp were also done so as to improve body physically and mentally fitted. Various activities like Kungkân (a type of high jump where men had to leap over the mithun). A man was regarded as a Tangval(full-fledged bachelor) if he could leap over the tall mithun. The kind of football they played was one using a pomelo fruit(citrus maxima), between two groups comprising of seven men and the ball was replaced if it happened to burst. In this, the children were responsible to find a new ball in the forest side to pluck the biggest pomelo. The Vaiphei community enjoyed this festival and invoked to their Almighty for more blessings in the coming year. Every era of Vaiphei life had been influenced by the newfound religion. Before the advent of Christianity in the Vaiphei inhabited area, the Vaiphei tribal world view was bounded within a village or at the most to a particular geographical area or areas. Christianity has brought a new world view to the Vaiphei people not only by exposing them to the Indian nation but also to the international arena. The Vaipheis were the first converts among the Kuki-Chin-Mizo of Manipur way back on 17 February 1910 when two Vaiphei youths, Pu Thangkai and Pu Lungpau received the words of God from a Wales missionary Rev.Watkin Roberts. Within a few years of Christianization may Vaiphei people embraced the new religion, and no doubt, cent per cent of the Vaiphei community have become Christians. However, due to the arrival of Christianity, our traditional ethos and practices seemed to be dwindling over and over, which is indeed a ruin of our traditional practices and heritage. Christianity has a far reaching impact on Vaiphei culture and traditions. Some felt that most of the cultural traditions of the early Vaiphei people were profusely connected with old religious practices and considered liquor(used in some festivals or k*ts) as incompatible with Christian living. They also felt strongly discouraged to participate and indulge in any of the festivals and cultural ceremonies like Thazing Lap and other k*ts or cultural activities as they thought such activities would hold them and pull them back to olden times. In fact, traditional cultural dances today have becomes items in the cultural functions and some other such occasions only. Thus, slowly and gradually, the importance of Vaiphei cultural festivals, other social gatherings and amusement lost their significance and the traditions have fallen almost in complete disuse. In nutshell, the present time is a high time that the Vaiphei cultural heritage and customs should be revived in a refined way and go along with Christianity and it is to be acknowledged by different sections of the people of the world in revitalizing the old aged traditions for the overall development of the community.

[The writer can be reached at [email protected]]

Khawvaiphei University

22/08/2024

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