Shanti Thokchom's Life Experiences
- Part 26 -
NAMA Convention 2008

By Shanti Thokchom *

My next summer trip was to Chicago which was all in the works since last year as I was invited by a very good Manipuri couple to join them for the NAMA meeting as part of the 4th of July celebrations. I could not refuse as I thought why not go out there and meet all our Manipuri folks from here and there !! It would be good exposure for my little son too!!!

Well, I asked other friends here to accompany me. They all seemed interested but when the time drew nearer and I wanted to double check with them about their plans, they began to pull out one by one citing this and that as their reasons. So I was now by myself with my little son again as my companion!!!

Well, to me it wasn't surprising at all as I knew it all along that no one shared that enthusiasm of making a trip to meet people like me!!!! I think their real reason to me was about money......!!! Once you start earning money, its addicting and they could not arrange their off days or for that matter remain to get stuck in their daily hum-drum..!!

I know the other couple just had a baby and that was a legitimate reason..Anyway, to each his own!! I am an adventurous buff so I guess it has worked out good for me!!

I made plans ahead with maps and all the bhojan (food) we gonna need on the way. The distance from Tulsa to Chicago is about 11-12 hours driving of over 773 miles on I-44 east passing through Missourie and then onto I-55 NORTH from there . We left around 8.30 in the morning and reached around 11.30 pm there.. We were stranded at St.Louis city in Missourie for over an hour due to the road constructions and lots of detours from the main highway.I got onto I-55 North from there and then I- 90 west to reach my friend's place.

Me and son stopped for few minutes each at gas stores and enjoy the sights and smell of upper midwest countryside here in the States...!! The gas prices got so high as soon as we crossed Oklahoma but I kept saying a small prayer to ...at least let me reach my destination without any harm!! It was $4.19 per gallon in Chicago!!!

Chicago downtown

Gosh, so much for this side of the country for having a Democratic presidential candidate for this year's election...the gas prices are scary !! I am sure this candidate does not want to touch this issue cos its a hotbed!! He rather be in a stadium sized environment and speak the message of "hope " and "change" amidst his screaming adoring young supporters!!!Thats Chicago politics...!!

I really would like to know what change he wants to bring..So far, he has been flip-flopping on issues..hopefully, he should be able to tide through all the nagative press he is beginning to get. But it'll be an interesting election here this year!! Sorry for the detour here!!

Coming to my story, it became already dark as we entered the state of Illinois. While crossing the Mississipi river, there was a torrential heavy downpouring of rain which hindered my sight and I could not see a thing on the roads.. So I just turned on the emergency lights and pulled over the sides until the rains stopped in about 20 minutes...There were big 18 wheeler trucks on the roads driving without any hindrance..!! How do they do that? I wonder!! Do they have ability or just that they did not want any smaller cars near them....?I am just curious!!

After an exhausting drive, we reached our destination. The host couple were so down to earth and simple and humble folks. I cant tell you how much I really appreciate their genuine-ness and warmth and hospitality to us all!! They made us feel so comfortable and homely.

How much can you ask anyone for such kindness!! The man of the house was a very jovial and witty guy. He loved singing and making people laugh!! It was really funny to see him in a Jamaican cap !! We teased him as the Manipuri Bob Marley!! It was good fun to have so much to laugh and to talk about anything in their house.

I am real lucky to be in such company!! Believe you me, I have been in some places where you felt very constricted because of the family's penny -pinching ways (hisaab koopi) . It becomes real difficult to even swallow something or water when you are at such houses..I am sure all of you know what I am talking about!!

I know we should all be wise with money and all that but its different with such types..They always tend to count out the dollars into the Indian rupees at the slightest instance !!! They would not even want us to know their friends though they would say publicly that they would take us to get introduced to their friends and friends of friends...!! But its only surface areas of saying whats to be said and not carry out in the truest form...!!

Anyway, while in Chicago at this wonderful host family's home, we got to meet so many Manipuris and very nice to know they came from all over for that occasion. My son just disappeared among the other kids who either watched their favorite shows on tv or playing their game boys or just the musical instruments which were in plenty in the basement!! He did not even bother to eat as he was so lost and enjoying being among many friends!! Of course, he was familiar with those families from Cincinnati and so he was quite happy to be among them.

Chicago downtown

There was a very good camaraderie among us women. We were busy preparing for the next day's big lunch !! This good couple from Florida had brought laphu (Banana tree stem? ) for the ironba ( my mouth waters at the mention of it...!) I had not eaten such traditional stuffs in a very long time. Its been ages since I even tasted them.

Some of us just cut anything we were asked to do so. The younger ones made very good tea for all of us to drink and kept on passing out the drinks while the menfolks just relaxed or joked around watching the 2008 Euro finals!! I also kept sneaking in to watch it in between our busy schedule..!

It was such fun as we all had a thing or two to share and laugh so much. We hardly get time to gather like this and it feels most wonderful to be meeting friends at a place like this!! The ladies all wore the traditional phaneks ( wrap around sarong like clothing for the womenfolk) as they were expecting aunty Dr.Jila Waikhom and family...who were the senior-most residents amongst all the Manipuris settled here in the States.

I was also made to wear the phanek..O my gosh, that Jerina from Ohio...she 's one helluva insistent young lady...She brought one for me so I had to wear it ..hoping that it should not fall off anytime while I walked here and there!!! Luckily, the phanek decided to stick with me..All the more better!! HA..HA...HA...!!

Its a nice environment to be in among friendly people and having fun and just about do anything !! I know the NAMA here had been talked been badly branded or talked about as downgrading or something as I heard from other friends but I say, its a terrific organization for socialising and the most important thing is that you get to eat all the Manipuri traditional dishes there !!

I have already sang its hosannas to my other non-Manipuri friends about it and they really showed an interest in joining these social dos!! The real kicker was the Thabal Chongba (folk dance) after the heavy meals.. O my gosh, we had so much fun doing the thabal!

For me that was my 1st time ever in my life....though I am an avid thabal watcher during my younger days back home !! That young lady Jerina kind of forced me to wear the Meitei Phee Phanek ( Manipuri costume ) and slapped on some make up on my face !! My gosh, I could not recognise myself..I looked like a lila yaobi.(actress)!!

But I did what I was told because they were the bosses and I did not regret it..! I said to myself " this is your only chance to take part in the thabal ..better join in and not be against the gang! ha...ha..ha.." All the while ,I was scared of the phanek ( costume ) falling off at any time. The ladies fastened it so good with some kind of thouree (rope) that I hardly could breathe but hey!! it was worth it!! It never fell off and we did put up a great thabal or for that matter enjoyed ourselves.....!!!

There was a variety of program that day and we were so fortunate to be able to watch the Manipuri dance performances by the talented troupe from D.C. It really made me feel very proud of our land to have such distinct cultural heritage to propagate it to the world through the dances or any thing related to it..!! The dance master Guru Naba is really a great lover of Arts and is doing his best to advance the Manipuri dance forms to his students at his dance academy. Wish him all the best! It was nice meeting him and his family there!!

Chicago downtown

After the program got over, we all went back to the host home for another round of chak chaba ( dinner ) or cha thakpa (tea) ..You know how we all love to eat when we all gather!! Ask anyone anywhere , what do we do when some of us meet? What else? other than the good old chak chanaba ( luncheon or dinner). But thats a very good way of hospitality and a wonderful way of socialising.

We can eat whole lot of foreign foods like pizza, hot dogs, spagetti or any others but we wont be satisfied until we fill ourselves up with at least chak chakhom ama ( handful of our cooked rice ) or else we say to justify ourselves..puk thande ( belly not full)!! Funny people we are!!

I wonder what others would think when they see us eat at any usob chak chanaba in those big...,big pithrai (brass), steel thali (plates) or in big banana leaves.....!! It would be an altogether different story!! I had gone in '05 to visit my grandma back home and there was this tarpon usob (to remember ancestors) I saw my cousins seating in front of thes big, big pithrai (brass) or steel thali (plates).

They started eating non-stop as the chefs began serving anything. I could not help but watch and observe them as it was fascinating to see our people eating to remember the dead ancestors!! Dont we have the weirdest of occasions for the memorial of the ancestors?

Couldnot we have done away with a simple prayer or something? I guess its all part of our society which is hard to break or do away with..!! But we all know in our hearts ,we love to eat and invite others to join us which multiplies the joy manyfold!!

Back to the Chicago story, there was such unheard /unseen of talent among the gathering there. This young man from Orlando, Florida was just too good with his ipom (jokes) and the best part was the Pena (a violin like musical instrument used to play for the Lai Haraoba festival ). He did impersonate the Pena Khongba ( the music by this instrument) through his throat.

I dont know what he did but I tell you all, it was simply the best entertainment I ever had!! There was so much laughter in the house over his impromptu acts, it went on till late at night as were laughing out our guts!! We had tears in our eyes and nearly wet ourselves due to the much laughter.

Forgive me for the direct language I use!! I am sure those of you who know him will know what I mean!! Next year, we would definitely catch him to showcase his Pena talent at the NAMA meeting in D.C..!!He cannot escape..He needs to be brought out !! If he is reading this, let him be forewarned!! Ha..ha..ha..!! His wife better get him ready as we intend to catch him by his namei ( loin cloth) for that occasion!! He is real talented and funny!!

The other one funny guy was the meek and quiet - as -a - mouse researcher from Indianapolis..! Who would have thought that he could recite such fun poetry ? We held our bellies after hearing out his poem...O my gosh, all our laughter could explode the house !!!

It was real fun and the happiest times we had had in a gathering like this!! Laughter would not kill nor harm anyone! I am glad to have met them all there!! May your tribe increase ,brothers!!

And the host was a very talented singer and guitar player. He entertained us with so many of our favourites. He could be a rocker of sorts!! These should be the main entertainers for next year's meeting in DC!! I am sure those of you who were there would agree with me!!

Check out the photo gallery for this trip here.



More stories later ...... to be continued ...!!

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* Shanti Thokchom, a resident of Tulsa, Oklohoma, contributes regularly to e-pao.net . She can be reached at sthok65(at)hotmail(dot)com . This article was webcasted on September 16, 2008.

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