Muted, dark Christmas at Kangpokpi
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, December 26 2023:
Kangpokpi district which is usually well-illuminated and highly euphoric during Christmas, wore a dim and doleful look this year as the residents celebrated a 'Muted and dark Christmas' due to the prevailing tense situation ever since the eruption of ethnic violence on May 3 this year.
The festive sense and spirit were completely missing as the Kuki-Zo people restrained themselves from overtly conspicuous celebrations and other forms of enjoyment.
No Christmas decorations, no illumination of lights, no Christmas carols and merriment, no Christmas feasting and fellowship events like lenkhom, a traditional form of singing and dancing, were witnessed, indoors and outdoors during Christmas this year.
As advised by the Committee on Tribal Unity, or the CoTU, Sadar Hills, all Churches in the district, shortened the Church morning service and conducted the evening service in the afternoon to culminate the program before night.
Normally, Christmas and New Year celebrations are organized at least for 2/3 consecutive days, but this year apart from strict advisory on the celebration, even the church services have also been limited.
Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills leaders led by its Chairman Thanglen Kipgen and Secretary Lamminlun Singsit visited the Kuki-Zo volunteers who are in the buffer zones to wish them a Christmas Chibai and wishes.
They also sang a Christmas song wishing a Merry Christmas to all the Kuki-Zo people across the globe at the Gamgiphai checkpoint.