Discourse on Tarao culture held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 25 2025: As part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, a two-day workshop-cum-seminar on preservation and promotion of Tarao culture and traditional practices was organised by Tribal Research Institute, Manipur in collaboration with Tarao Tribe Union on Friday at Leishokching village, Chandel district.

In a release, TA&H/TRI Manipur director Hannah Kahmei informed that the inaugural session was attended by Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes member Sankhii Shetlengam, Tribal Affairs and Hills & TRI, Manipur director Hannah Kahmei, and ANSAM education secretary Joyful as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

During the programme, Tarao Tribe Union former president M Bejuan Tarao stated that though Tarao population is less than 1000, Government of India recognised the Tarao community as a Scheduled Tribe on January 8, 2003 due to its rich cultural heritage.

Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes member Sankhil Shetlengam stated that the rich culture and traditional practices of the tribals are fading, while adding that a community is identified by its culture and loss of culture is loss of identity.

Appealing to the elders and knowledge carriers of the Tarao tribe to take the responsibility of passing down the rich culture, custom, and tradition of the community, he further exhorted the younger generation to learn from the elders in order to preserve and promote the rich culture and customs of the Tarao tribe.

TA&H/TRI Manipur director Hannah Kahmei stated that each tribal community has unique culture, customs and heritage which are their identity.

She stated that the advancement in science and technology and many other fields in this globalised world has changed life drastically, and noted with concern that amid this transformation, culture and identity of people are also fast eroding, thereby posing a threat to one's identity.

Highlighting the crucial role of Tribal Research Institute, she stated that the Institute, despite lack of manpower and fund, strives for the welfare of the tribal communities in the state both in policy-making and implementation of government policies and programs and functions as per the Operational Guidelines of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

She appealed to the tribal communities in the state to cooperate each other to preserve and promote the richcuiture, customs, tradition and rich heritage.

About 70 people, including leaders of Tarao Women Union, Tarao Students' Union and chiefs from four Tarao villages, namely Tarao Laimanai village, Leishokching village, Khuringmul village and Heikakpokpi village participated in the programme.

The program was organised as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh with the support of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, the release added.

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