Kuki-Zo celebrate 'muted' Christmas in Kpi
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, December 26 2023:
The otherwise well-illuminated and highly euphoric Kuki-Zo Christian dominated Kangpokpi district during Christmas wore a dim and doleful look this year as the community celebrated a 'Muted and Dark Christmas' due to the ongoing violence that erupted on May 3 .
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 event like Lenkhom, a traditional form of singing and dancing, were witnessed indoors and outdoors.
Rather, the community stayed alert and prepared for any disturbance during the festive season.
As advised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, all Churches in the district, shortened the morning service and conducted the evening service in the afternoon to end the programme before dusk.
Normally, Christmas and New Year celebrations used to be organised at least for 2/3 consecutive days, but this year apart from strict advisory on the celebration, even the Church services have been limited.
Some Churches in Kangpokpi town after the morning service, served cakes, tea, and snacks instead of organising the sumptuous Christmas feast.
Kuki-Zo volunteers instead of celebrating, stayed alert in the buffer zones or peripheral areas while CoTU leaders and the women's wing replaced the womenfolks on regular highway duty in frisking and checking the vehicles.
CoTU 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 Christmas wishes.
They also sang a Christmas song wishing a Merry Christmas to all the Kuki-Zo people across the globe at Gamgiphai checkpoint.
CoTU spokesperson Kaiminlen Sitlhou said that the committee was saddened to reflect that Christmas celebrations in Kangpokpi district have been damp and low-key completely missing Christmas spirit owing to the morose environment everywhere due to the ongoing violence in Manipur.
He said that this festive season is celebrated sans carol and joyous splendor of merriment but with solemn prayers for bravehearts in the Church.
He also said that the committee is magnanimous to the Kuki-Zo community for adhering to the appeal for 'Muted Christmas and New Year' .