Imphal, December 11 2010: The reportedly fading culture and traditions of Thadou Kuki were deliberated during a one day workshop held at Damdei Christian College, Sadar Hills today.

Resource persons speaking at the workshop cautioned that the rich culture of Thadous may fade into oblivion if necessary efforts are not made to document and preserve the indigenous culture of the Thadous without any further delay.

The workshop was organised by Compassion Manipur under the sponsorship of Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur.

Speaking at the workshop, Manipur University, School of Human and Environmental Science Dean Prof W Nabakumar said that 'one world, one culture' espoused by Western Countries to adopt their culture as global culture has been rejected by different nations.

More and more nations are embracing and promoting their own indigenous cultures, he said.

Noting that culture undergoes changes according to time, Prof Nabakumar asserted that the core elements of indigenous culture should be sustained and promoted on the path of development and progress.

Adoption of American or English culture would keep the indigenous people behind the Americans or the English at all time.

Lauding Chinese efforts of successfully preserving and promoting their indigenous system of acupuncture just as the Koreans and Japanese proudly inherited their ancient cultures, Prof Nabakumar noted that these Asian countries could make remarkable progress because they put more values in their own cultures and traditions than imported ones.

Many other speakers lamented that there are very few people alive who have indepth knowledge of Thadou culture.

They cautioned that Thadou culture and the identity may get lost with the passage of time if sincere efforts are not initiated to identify and preserve the core elements of Thadou culture.

Saying that traditional dance is a part of culture, Prof Nabakumar called upon all to work for inclusion of Thadou traditional dance in the syllabus of Manipur University Dance Department.

Unlike in other parts of the world, kings of Manipur never tried to assimilate indigenous cultures and traditions of the smaller communities with the dominant culture.

In his keynote address, Rev Bungthang Sitlhou lamented that except for some older persons, younger Thadou generations know very little about their indigenous culture.

Comparing Thadou dance with those of other tribes of Manipur, Bungthang said that Thadou dance is not a war dance but a very gentle dance based on the theme of love and cordiality.

There are very few people at present who can perform this tradition dance to perfection.

Speaking as chief guest, Art and Culture Director K Sobita assured all possible assistance towards preservation and promotion of Thadou culture.

The workshop was presided by Damdei Christian College Principal Seikho Sitlhou.

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