Print Journalism in the Hills of Manipur
- Part 2 -

By Th Mangminthang Gangte *

Media in the hills of Manipur

Tribal media are those publications/broadcast in tribal dialect. They are mostly community-based mouthpiece and have a targeted readers who read/speak a particular dialect. Tribal newspapers/journals in good numbers started to appear in the State from 1980 onwards. The circulation of the paper and its survival depends to a large extent on the population of the tribe. For instance, a Tangkhul newspaper will depend on the number of readership, ie, populations who speak a Tangkhul dialect.

Indeed, it is Christianity that mothers education in the tribal belt of the state. Of the many legacies brought about by Christianity in the hills of Manipur, journalism becomes one among them. If Guttenburg's Bible was the beginning of press publication in the world, the history of mass communication through print medium among the tribal of Manipur began with the Gospel.

The awareness on communication through media like books has begun with the publication of many Christian literatures like tracts, Bibles, etc. in the early part of the 20th Century. Most of the literatures were printed outside the region in the absence of printing machine. As such, the local publications were mostly of handwritten or done with typewriter.

The practice of communication through journals was felt as late in the early part of the 1940s. It is believed that a Hmar dialect magazine, 'Hmasawnna' which appeared in 1941 was the first journal in tribal dialect of Manipur. The journal was edited by Zathuoi, a Hmar literary giant. The journal was published from Mission Compound in Churachandpur.

The same time around, a journal called 'Lhangsam' appeared in the northern hill district of Manipur. SL Lunneh, a pioneer of Christianity and a trailblazer of Thadou-Kuki literature edited 'Lhangsam,' the Thadou-Kuki journal. It was published from Motbung in Sadar Hills. The journal was known for its multi-perspective contents.

In 1952, a monthly magazine 'Zingsol' was published in Gangte dialect. Lamzasoi Chelmang, the first graduate among the Gangtes, edited the magazine. Following years witnessed the coming of 'Sim le Mal' a magazine in Thadou-Kuki dialect. The journal was also edited by SL Lunneh from Motbung.

Magazines like 'Penna Gam,' 'Muoltinchan,' 'Zouzam,' etc appeared with their own tastes and colours. But they could not stand against the test of time due to financial shortage. One of the reasons for the short live of the publications could have been that nobody regarded journalism as a profession rather they considered it as a hobby.

However, the factor, which contributes to the rise and growth of journalism among the tribal people of Manipur, was encouraging. That, none of the publications were never started with the attempt to criticise or attack someone or those who were in the authority. Rather, it was the increasing awareness and the need felt by them to address social issues that necessitated the bringing out of such publications. Another significant factor that contributes to the growth of journalism in the hills of Manipur is the ever increasing consciousness to protect and preserve their respective identities. This trend still prevails among them.

Tribal Newspapers: Past and Present

'Thuthang:' The practice of daily newspaper publication among the tribal of Manipur started with the publication of 'Thuthang,' a daily newspaper in Zou dialect in 1971. This is said to be the oldest registered tribal newspaper. The paper was edited by T Gougin and was published from Churachandpur.

'Sikni-eng' is the oldest existing tribal newspaper. CS Sitkill started it from Saikot in Churachandpur. This Mizo newspaper began to hit the stands on September 2, 1975. Kapthianga also edited the paper for one year during 1977-78. Its present editor, Lalhmingliana Torell edited and owned the newspaper from February 11, 1978. It enjoys readership among the Mizo-speaking community of Manipur and Mizoram. Another Mizo daily 'Chhantu' was also started in 1976 by F Hrangzuala.

'Sumkawn,' another newspaper of the tribal in Thadou-Kuki dialect was started in 1980 from Churachandpur. Its first editor was Mangjangam Touthang. A year or later, the base of the newspaper was shifted at Imphal and was brought out from Tongvom Memorial Printing Press, New Lambulane, Imphal.

A Paite dialect newspaper, 'Manipur Express' was started in 1981 as a weekly journal. The periodicity of the journal was later changed into daily in 1983. L Chinkhanlian is its editor since its inception. It still survives with large command of readership among the tribal people of Manipur.

A Thadou-Kuki journal "Thinglhang Post" was started on October 1, 1982. It was started as a weekly journal by TN Haokip (Now Minister) from Churachandpur. The paper became a daily newspaper in the nineties. With the credo, 'come and go,' time saw the in and out of Thinglhang Post in the tribal media arena. An abortive attempt was made in 2005 for its revival.

'Hmasawnna Thar' a Hmar daily newspaper was launched on October 1, 1987 in Churachandpur by Lalmalsawm Sellate. The newspaper caters to the reading needs of the Hmar speaking populace. The paper continues to hit the stands till date. The paper achieved a feat when the editor of the paper was conferred the Manipur State Journalist Award in 2008.

In 1992, a Tangkhul-Naga daily newspaper, 'Aja' was launched from Imphal. The paper, since its inception, is edited by Valley Rose H Hungyo. It caters to the reading needs of the Tangkhul speaking community of the state. In 1999, another tribal newspaper was launched in Tamenglong. A Rongmei-Naga newspaper, 'Dihcham' was started by Ramkung Pamei. The newspaper serves the reading needs of the Rongmei speaking community of Tamenglong.

Other tribal newspapers that sprang up after 2000 are Paite-dialect 'Lamka Post' (started on September 1, 2002), and a Vaiphei-dialect newspaper 'Nisin Thuhiltu' (2004). 'Lamka Post' is edited by Thangzalian Thomte while 'Nisin Thuhiltu' is edited by Benlian Khaute.

Monthly magazines like

• 'Lenlai,' (in Simte),
• 'Hetnapha (Thadou-Kuki),'
• 'Vaphual (Zou)'
• 'Shi-twi (Thadou-Kuki),'
• 'Chennagam (Thadou-Kuki),'
• 'Lenkolni (Thadou-Kuki),'
• 'Akshi Sawmleng (Vaiphei),'
• 'Suangmantam Digest (Paite),'
• 'Zingsol (Gangte),'
• 'Zo-Khuak (Zou),' etc

appeared for a short while and disappeared.

Also weeklies like 'Mediator,' 'Tulai Zogam (Thadou-Kuki),' 'Kanthouna (Maring),' 'Frontier Weekend (Paite),' 'Kaphun Khon (Tangkhul),' had also appeared in the scene but only for a short glory.

It is encouraging to note that some monthly magazines/periodicals in tribal dialect are struggling to survive amidst several constraints. Magazines like 'Chollha (Thadou-Kuki),' 'Tongluang (Paite),' 'Zingvalpa (Thadou-Kuki),' 'Zopatong (Zou),' 'Sawrtui (Hmar),' 'Laizon Digest (Thadou-Kuki),' 'Khohui (Thadou-Kuki),' 'Zalen Banner' (weekly in Thadou-Kuki)' etc have stood the test of the time and come out till date.

Tribal newspapers which survive to hit the stands till date are Sikni-Eng, Manipur Express, Lamka Post, Thuhiltu, Hmasawnna Thar, Aja, and Dihcham. Encouragingly, the launched of a multi-lingual colour daily newspaper, 'Gosem' from Imphal, the state capital in December 2009 sets a watermark in the annals of tribal media-industry's history. With its entire professional editorial staff and the committed trust-members of the Gosem Lawm, the Gosem is reckoned to revolutionise media industry among the tribal people.

The presence of cable news channels of the tribal (in Churachandpur) is also encouraging to note. At present, around four/five cable news channels – Hornbill Cable, TC Network, Sinlung Cable, ZRS, etc are rendering dialect news service in Churachandpur.

Concluding remarks:

It is crystal clear that tribal media in Manipur are not necessarily stemming out against those who are in authority. Rather it is the culmination of the growing mass awareness and the needs felt by them to promote and preserve their respective identities, of which language is one of the most significant factors. However, the hope and aspiration of the people could not live long. All the newspapers and publications were put behind the eight ball.

The main factors responsible for the short live of the tribal media is undeniably financial shortage and, of course, what could be read as 'lack of professionalism.' In all fairness and honesty, the tribal newspapers would run successfully, if not script glorious chapter, if the government of India as well as the state government assist them financially through agencies and departments like DAVP, PIB, DIPR, etc.

It would be only a venial error to assert that sincerity and commitment are lacking in tribal society as a whole. It will be prudent if tribal media practitioners exert more zeal and enthusiasm and do justice to their profession. The standard and quality of the publications can be improved. For this to happen, skills and sincere commitment are required on the part of the professionals. In turn, the government departments concerned should appoint translators in order that the news carried by the tribal media reached the ear of the government and policy makers.

Concluded....

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* Th Mangminthang Gangte contributes regularly e-pao.net . The writer has come out with project reports on 'Journalism in the Hills of Manipur' (2007) and 'Coverage of Development issue of Manipur Hills in Imphal-based English Newspapers (2009) at Manipur University. The writer can be reached at tmgangte(at)yahoo(dot)com
This article was webcasted on May 03rd, 2010.

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