'Manipuris in Myanmar don't know Meeteilon'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 06 2013: Descendants of Manipuris who have been migrated or taken to Myanmar as war captives during Chahi Taret Kuntakpa (seven years of devastation-1819 and 1826) do not speak or understand Meeteilon any more, today all of them conversed in Burmese only.

It was informed by a group of 17 artisans from Manipur who returned from participating in the 'Thematic Exhibition' held in Mandalay, Myanmar recently, during a reception function hosted in their honour by Commerce and Industry Minister Konthoujam Govindas at the latter office chamber at State Secretariat office here today.

The artisans informed that even though they have forgotten the language, descendants of Manipuris in Myanmar still worship deities like Nongpok Ningthou and Panthoibi.

Temples of Meetei gods and goddess were also seen in and around the areas inhibited by Meeteis in Myanmar and they also use indigenous looms for weaving cloths.

Minister Govindas along with the Manipuri team who returned from Myanmar

Narrarating their experiences to media and the Commerce and Industries Minister, the team recalled that during the exhibition, products taken from Manipur were sold like hot cakes.

Though they did not speak Meeteilon, Manipuris in Myanmar, who come to visit the exhibition, purchased handloom and handicraft products warmheartedly.

Moreover, they also order some products of their liking from Manipur.

During the exhibition that was held from 20-24 May 2013 in the second largest city of Myanmar, products amounting to Rs 80 Lakhs were sold with ease.

Exhibiting two types of Phanek namely Pumthit and Sendra onced used by the then Maharanis of Manipur and presented them by Meeteis in Myanmar, National Awardee Radhamani, said that efforts are being made to reproduce the appliqu� arts and design of objects depicted on the clothes.

Distributing certificates to all the artisans, Minister Govindas said that it was for the first time that participants from North East India travelled to the neighbbouring country by bus to participate such an exhibition.

It shows that the proposed bus service between Manipur and Myanmar would be successful and it would facilitate traders from Manipur to travel by bus upto the business centers in Myanmar.