One's culture, customs, tradition and history should be honoured: Anal Naga Tangpi
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, August 06 2014:
Any individual or organization disrespects one's culture, custom, traditions and identity is a crime.
Some individuals in a couple of days ago in the local daily tried to distort the distinctive history of Anal Tribe by misquoting the Anal tribe as old Kuki is very unfortunate.
Such confusions among the readers are merely driven by self vested interest pseudo writers.
The Anal tribe President had earlier issued clarifications with historical background in the local papers in this connection.
Every interested person or organization desirous of knowing more about Anal Tribe may kindly contact the office of the Anal Naga Tangpi (ANTA) .
Anal Tribe is one of the oldest Indian tribes recognized by the Indian Constitution under kinsmen of Naga Brethren.
The tribe though not with sizable population has been settling down in two countries, viz Indian state of Manipur and Myanmar since time immemorial.
It had undergone ethnic feud, tribulation, persecution and epidemic in the migratory routes.
However, its distinctive culture, identity and history cannot be ignored.
Anallon (Anal Land) has been traced back to as old as 33 BC to 18 BC in the present habitation of South East of Manipur.
The land has been endowed with rich biodiversity with natural resources and landforms.
The characteristics features of the Anal tribe include three years of servitude which is not the case in other neighboring tribes.
The customary feast is offered by son-in-law as per Anal Naga customary law.
Dead body is buried in a common cemetery while other chin Kuki tribes buried their dead bodies in their domestic premises.
The handicrafts of anals in the form of basket and quiver are designed differently from other tribes.
Unlike Kuki brethren, Anals erect Monoliths and have different attires for both men and women.
Anal Tribe was a Naga kinsman much before Naga National movement began and will remain so hereafter.
This statement is substantiated by the fact that King Bungyamba conquered Naga villages of Chakpa Cherong, Anan/Anal Kabui in 1495.Raja Charairongba arrested 23 Anal Nagas and convicted them in 1626.Captain R Buliau Antiquarian Studies in Assam, Guwahati page No 58 para No.60th stated that, "Anal is one of the tribes belonging to Nagas".
GA Garrison in his book.
"Linguistic Survey of India" Vol.III Part III stated that, Anal languages show closer connection with Naga language".
R Brown in his Book " statistical Account of the Native state of Manipur" observed that his territory under its rules 1893 that the stone (Monoliths) as land mark erected by the Anals can be found as standing even today on the hill sides in Burma (Myanmar), Lushai Hills and South East of Manipur.
In the light of true Christianity, we are all one in God.
I appeal through this media that let us not distort our history and others on the basis of some physical, linguistic and ethnographic affinities.
I wish to convey the message that kukis and the Anal Nagas must help each other as Christian brothers to respect their own unique culture, identity and history rather than playing risky politics over identity issues.
We shall try to restored and maintain peace, love and co-existence.
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