Moyon Women Orgn celebrates diamond jubilee
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2015: Women-folk of Moyon, one of the least populated tribes of Manipur, celebrated diamond jubilee of their body - Bujuur Shanuw Ruwrkheh (BSR) or Moyon Women Organization - at Kapaam village in Chandel district.

According to the community's elders, Moyon's total population is around 5000 and they are scattered in various parts of Chandel and a miniature figure of 64 people are also settled at Namphalong in neighbouring Myanmar.

Moyons come under Naga tribe.

Majority of Moyons are concentrated at Kapaam where around 250 families are settled, they said and added that the Moyons converted into Christianity in 1922 .

Showcasing Moyon's rich cultural heritage, honouring BSR's founders, hordes of entertainment programmes and a series of prayer sessions marked the three-day long jubilee celebration that ended yesterday.

Chief Secretary PC Lawm-kunga, who attended the celebration's second day as chief guest, lauded Moyon women for taking pivotal roles in developing the community in all spheres.

Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga releasing a souvenir

Underscoring the jubilee's theme, "Building our Homes for Posterity through Culture", the Chief Secretary, said "this is a slogan for all of us" .

Responding to a memo submitted to him by the BSR, Lawmkunga said that he would explore ways and means to set up a "Diamond Jubilee Memorial Hall" at Kapaam popularly known as Komlathabi.

Lawmkunga, who was posted as a Sub-Divisional Officer in Chandel district in 1982, also donated certain amount to the organizers.

Moyon woman activist and academician Dr Gina Shangkham said that though the community members have converted into Christianity, the BSR has taken a key role in preserving Moyon's culture and tradition.

"Since culture is our root and identity, we have lived with it.

The Moyon's dance, songs, artifices and traditional values are still part of our life.

We also promote education to our level best," she said.

" I'm so proud to be a one of the organizing committees of the landmark celebration.

The jubilee has categorically given us the nerve to strengthen BSR in bringing forward a prosperous future," said Rumeendeen Ngorow, a young Moyon girl.

The Moyons, who had co-existed peacefully with another tribe at Upper Liwachangning village in the district, had begun shifting to Kapaam from 1957 till sixties in pursuit of their education.

Kapaam has now housed a government aided college, a government high school and four private schools.

"The literacy rate of Kapaam village is almost cent percent.

Our village has over ten doctors, two senior security officials and some officials in State Government.

Many of them are also working in corporate bodies," said Jindashing Roel, a key personality of the village.