Though unable to hear or see properly, Pupirei Pfükha has not lost her zest for life as she remains cheerful. This reporter travelled to Kigwema village recently to meet Pupirei Pfükha who family members claim is 119 years and which would make her perhaps the oldest living person in Nagaland. Family members said she became blind when she was in her eighties.
When asked to substantiate their claim, family members said her age was counted from date of birth as recorded in her voter identity card. Family members said Pupirei, born in 1902 and hailing from Kigwema village, under Jakhama circle.
Family members informed this reporter that Pupirei was married to Vichapa Pfükha and they were blessed with four children – three sons and one daughter. The eldest son is the first matriculate, first graduate and first gazetted officer (in the State art & culture department) of Kigwema village and passed away in 1989. Her husband passed away in 1969. In fact, all her four children predeceased her– three during the 1980s and 1990s and the lone surviving son on August 15, 2020 at the age of 82.
Pupirei is blessed with 18 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She sleeps in a tiny corner of her kitchen alongside huge bamboo baskets stored with grains and meat hanging by the kitchen roof to dry.
Pupirei is among the few surviving elders of the State who had witnessed the invasion of Japanese troops during the World War II when they arrived at Kigwema on April 4, 1944. She still recalls the day when she carried one of her children on her back and held the others by the hands as she walked towards Khonoma village for safety and shelter, leaving her husband behind. Later, she returned to her native village looking for her husband.
Pupirei embraced Christianity in the early part of 1990 and followed the Baptist denomination.
The centenarian loves food, especially non-vegetarian and is able to eat normally without any assistance. She is looked after by one of her great-granddaughters who is 30-year-old.
When asked about her expectations of the future, Pupirei simply said she looks forward to live longer. She claimed that her secret to long life was to live a happy life without anything to worry. She said she wakes up at 6 in the morning and sleeps around 8 p.m.
Her family members say Pupirei is witty, kind, knowledgeable and a conversationalist, although she has faint recollections of her childhood days.
Though she could easily be considered as Northeast’s oldest living person, Pupirei said she did not pay much heed to such recognitions. The fact that she lives her life without stress and on her own terms could be the secret to her long life.