Vernacular press among Thadou-Kukis of Manipur

T Malsawm Kipgen *

It is worth mentioning the contribution of Christian missionaries from the West among the tribal of Manipur in general and the Thadou-Kuki tribe in particular. It is a debatable case from the general point of view however though if one view from the perspective of down trodden tribal, they will realize that the presence of missionaries and their work in the tribal areas was not a curse but a boon. With them they brought western education in the midst of tribal who were mostly conservative in their thinking of the outside world. Not just the Gospel, the tribal also benefitted from the sincere efforts of the missionaries in bringing formal education in the villages.

Recognizable foreign missionaries like Watkin R. Roberts and William Pettigrew lived among the tribal and tirelessly taught basic education while spreading the Gospel. This had paved the way for the beginning of modern education among the tribal including the Thadou-Kukis. Ngulhao Thomsong (1891-1945) is believed to be the first man from the Thadou- Kuki tribe in the whole of India to have ever produced print publication. He was born in 1891 in the Naga Hills (Tening). He went to Mission School for his study in 1900. He came to Manipur in 1910 to spread the Gospel of God.

The following are the books published by him:
1. Pathen La (Gospel song): Year 1922
2. Thu Kidong le Kidonbut (Questions and Answers): Year1924
3. John Sut Kipana Thupha (The Gospel of John): Year 1925
4. Lekha Bul (The Book of Beginning): Year 1927
5. Kitepna Thah (New Testament): Year -----

Ngulhao Thomsong with support from Mr & Mrs Dr G.C. Crozier had successfully translated the English New Testament Bible into Thadou-Kuki dialect. Pathen La book was collaboratively produced by Ngulhao, Sielet Singson, Longkhobel Kilong, Helkhup Chongloi, Pakho Sitlhou and Teba Kilong. His books were considered as being the first form of print publication known to this tribe. Longkhobel Kilong published "Thadou Lekhabu" in 1924. Thereafter, SL Lunneh printed the more qualified form of journal in the 1940s.

During this decade, Thadou-Kuki cognate tribe Hmar had already set their foot in the world of journalism. Hmars are the first among the tribal and second in the whole of Manipur to know the art of journalism. 'Hmasawnna' which means marching forward in local Hmar dialect was published in 1941 to cater to the needs of the Hmar populace who are concentrated mainly in Churachandpur district and few pockets of Jiribam in Manipur. It is highly speculated that it had open the gateway of journalism for the rest of tribal society in Manipur. The first recorded journal of the Thadou-Kuki was 'Lhangsam' which means "Informing people" far and wide in local Thadou-Kuki dialect. It was published by S.L Lunneh, a very well-known person of that time among the Thadou-Kukis.

This was followed by 'Sim le Mal' which means south and north, a news journal in Thadou-Kuki dialect. The journal was also edited by SL Lunneh from Motbung town. Sir Lunneh was a torch bearer of the Thadou-Kukis. His love for his community had induced him to publish magazines that could act as a communication bridge for his people who usually live a distant away from one village to another. He had a long vision and his vision was to bring education, better communication and goodwill of the society of Thadou-Kukis. He has left behind a legacy that the present generation cherished even to this day. .

'Sumkawn' (a kind of Trumpet) is the first known newspaper of the Thadou-Kuki tribe in Manipur. It was started in 1980 from the southern hill district of Manipur (Churachandpur). The first recorded editor of this esteemed newspaper was Mangjangam Touthang. A year or later, the base had to be shifted from its birth place and from that year on the newspaper was brought out from Tongvom Memorial Printing Press, New Lambulane, New Checkon, Imphal.

The second from the chronological date of establishment is "Thinglhang Post", (meaning- the Post of the Hills), a newspaper that was truly a mirror of the Thadou-Kuki who were then averse to English newspaper edition and also newspaper written in Manipuri. It is noteworthy to point out that the Thadou-Kuki people of the yesteryears were unaware of the power of media. It was started in the first day of October in 1982. Initially it was started as a weekly journal by TN Haokip (present MLA from Saikot) from Churachandpur district of Manipur. The paper became a daily newspaper in the nineties. With the philosophy, 'come and go,' Thinglhang had to face the in and out in the tribal media zone. An unproductive attempt was made in 2005 for its revival which is not realized till today.

Due to advanced technology and sophisticated machines, we could see the changes taking place. Zalen Banner which literally means Independent Banner, is a bi-lingual weekly newspaper. It has its existence for almost 15 years.

Cholha magazine (full moon) was published from Churachandpur district. It was edited by Benny Khongsai. Cholha is exceptional because of the fact it had started a new chapter in the annals of the Thadou-Kuki print journalism. It had brought out entertainment monthly in the midst of the Thadou-Kuki society.

There is no recorded history to authenticate the claim but it is believed that Thadou-Kukis has produced the highest number of magazines among the tribal of Manipur. There are others such as Jingvalpa, Laizon Digest, Shi-Twi, Lenkolni, Chennagam, Hetnapha, Khohui, Voice of the Hills, Hills Today, Khivui, Cholha, Ninel etc.

Jingvalpa is a magazine published from Kangui town (Kangpokpi) in Sadar Hills. Its editor was PL. Robert Hekai Kipgen and Bawipu Khongsai was the Joint-Editor of the magazine. It had its first publication on 1st December 2001

Hills Today is a fortnightly news magazine published from Molnom West, Middle Road, Tuibuong, Churachandpur district. There is a specific reason for giving the name "Hills Today". It was first published on 13 October 2012. The important thing about this fortnightly news magazine is that it was an investigative news magazine.

Kukis like Bawm and Pangkhua live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Darlong, Chorei, Sakachep, Molsom, Ranglong and Hrangkhol of the ethnic Kuki tribes live in Tripura and there are many Kukis in Myanmar. Hill Today topmost priority is to act as a bridge to share and inform the widely scattered Kukis. It was established with a purpose to teach oneness and unite the Kukis as a whole.

Voice of the Hills is a monthly journal based on development. It was formed in November 2009 and the first publication began in December the same year from the national capital Delhi. Voice of the Hills had a humble upbringing. It all began in its first meeting in the residence of Letminlun Haokip in Munirka, New Delhi where individuals present felt the need for a good journal (newspaper/magazine) in the society.

They all unanimously agreed the lack of awareness for media among the people of this community and thereby adopted a resolution to start a monthly magazine that can bring awareness about the important role media plays in the life of an individual and society. The first editor of this magazine was Letminlun Haokip.

Interestingly, the first tribal community in Manipur who have the privilege of reading a multi-lingual colour daily newspaper was from the Thadou-Kuki tribe. The newspaper was named 'Gosem', a kind of trumpet, which is the name of an ancient musical instrument commonly used by the forefathers of this community during important events. It was launched from Imphal, the state capital of Manipur in September 2007. It was first edited by Gogou Vaiphei. Since then a new ray of hope was ushered in the lives of the Thadou speaking tribe and other cognate tribes like Gangte and Vaiphei who can speak and read Thadou dialect.

Presently, "Eimi Times" is the only daily newspaper available for the Thadou-Kuki community in Manipur. It is also the only daily newspaper among the whole CHIKIM newspapers to have its establishment in the state capital Imphal. It was launched on 27th November 2012. Its first editor was Thangzalen Ringo Lhungdim.

There are none in the media fraternity who did not face hardship. Like others, Eimi Times too faced many hurdles. Despite many obstacles in its path it survived the test of time and it is attributed to its earnest effort and dedication for the well-being of the society at large.

It has continued to serve not only the Thadou speaking community but also those readers of non-Thadou speaker who love and read the paper regularly. As long as the support from the general populace keeps pouring in, it is hope that the newspaper will live and serve the people.