Thendai Khangchu : Keeping alive the tradition
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 11: Inspite of sweeping changes brought about by Westernisation and modernisation, keeping alive the tradition of Thendai Khangchu (male dormitory) and its allied Luchu (female dormitory), where the young Kabui boys and girls are groomed and trained to lead a disciplined life to shoulder their social responsibilities when they come out of their age, for the last 116 years is no mean achievement.

The occasion definitely calls for a celebration, and that is precisely what the members of the Thendai Khangchu and Luchu at Kakhulong, a tiny Kabui settlement, located in the heart of Imphal city is gearing up for with the establishment of its Thendai Khangchu turning 116 years tomorrow.

A Kabui traditional dance captured on camera

"Actually, the celebration could have been more appropriate if it had been celebrated 16 years ago when the Thendai Khangchu completed a century of its existence.

But due to some unprecedented lapses, this milestone in the history of Kakhulong was overlooked," explained Chaoba Kamson, the convenor of The Thendai Khangchu Centenary Observation Committee.

Set up in 1891 amidst the wreckages of the Anglo-Manipuri war, the present male dormitory has been taking the charge of running the Khangchu continuously, thus achieving a rare feat.

According to family members of KC Kabui, the present keeper of Thendai Khangchu of Kakhulong, their great grandfather Budipou, an employee in the then Treasury Office, first started settlement at the present site of the village after the earlier inhabitants either fled or were chased away by the Britishers after the defeat of Manipur in the Anglo-Manipuri war.

Since then the tradition of Thendai Kangchu is being maintained down the years without any interruption.

Kabui traditions say that Tingpurengshonnang, a God-incarnate was the first keeper or owner of Khangchu by divine sanction of Tingkao Ragwang, the supreme God of the Kabui pantheon.

During those days, gods, men and all other creatures not only shared a common language, but a common Khangchu as well.

Tingpurengshonnang imparted different branches of knowledge to all the inmates of his Khangchu until differences cropped up among the inmates after they were made to part from the Khangchu and went their separate ways.

Religious and cultural practices, discipline and social hierarchy which are the very essence of Khangchu today are believed to be the legacy handed down directly from Tingpurengshonnang.

On the social significance of the tradition of Khangchu, A Kamson, a senior village elder, explained that works of Khangchu are multifarious.

Along with shouldering major share in carrying out traditional festivals like Gaan-Ngai, Rih-Ngai, Nanu-Ngai, Gudui-Ngai, etc, the members of Khangchu are also responsible for providing security to the village in times of war, helping the victims in times of natural calamities such as earthquake, flood, landslides, etc and maintenance of village roads, ponds, etc during peace time, he said.

But most importantly, it is during their stay at Khangchu and Luchu that the young boys and the girls are trained by the Khangbon and Tunamunsitmei (caretakers of the male and female dormitories respectively) to lead disciplined life and learn various trades so that they can shoulder the responsibility of the society when they grow up, Kamson said.

Defiling the sanctity of Kangchu or Luchu is dealt with severely, he added.

Tomorrow's celebration would be marked by offering oblation of holy wine to Tingkao Ragwang (the supreme god), shouting of Hoi, invoking the blessing of god through signing of hymns, performance of cultural dances, singing of folk songs and other cultural programmes.

A souvenir would also be released to mark the historic event.