Northern Maram, Southern Angami mark 100 years of brotherhood

Northern Maram of Manipur and Southern Angami of Nagaland commemorated 100 years of their historic brotherhood at Maram Khullen village in Manipur on Saturday.
The centenary celebration was organised by the Joint Committee of Centenary Celebration of Brotherhood under the aegis of the Northern Maram People’s Organization (NMPO) and Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO).
Addressing the gathering, Angami Public Organization (APO) president Thejao Vihienuo asserted that a vast majority of Nagas were yearning for oneness and maintained that for those who truly loved the Nagas, nothing was more important than drawing closer to one another. He observed that Naga society had become fragmented with multiple divisions, where leaders often chose pride over understanding and anger over patience. He stated that what had begun as a movement to live as one people and one nation had led to numerous factions, adding that any society driven by such attitudes among its leaders was bound to be divided.
In this regard, Vihienuo urged the people present to uphold and raise the banner of the bond cemented by their ancestors a hundred years ago and to set an example for other Naga communities. While emphasising the need to strengthen ties between the two communities, he also encouraged them to build similar relationships with other groups. He further congratulated both communities for charting a path for peace and advised them to continue supporting one another and stand firm together in the future.
Maram Union president P Timothy Raichuba, in his address, underscored that the brotherhood was not a colonial treaty but a legitimate indigenous accord founded on mutual respect, alliance and peaceful coexistence, mentioning that the spirit of the pact had endured through the years. He stated that the gathering marked 100 years since the historic brotherhood forged in 1926 at Viswema village under the SAPO area.
Raichuba said that on that occasion, elders from both tribes had come together to forge a sacred pact of brotherhood, pledging to stand by each other in matters of safety, protection and the overall well-being of their people. He added that in accordance with Naga customary practices, the bond had been declared to last indefinitely.
He further appealed to both communities that the brotherhood should no longer remain confined to Northern Maram and Southern Angamis alone but should be formally embraced and upheld by the two tribes as a whole. He called for a renewed collective commitment to mutual aid, unity and peaceful coexistence so that the bond would continue to guide and strengthen the communities for another century.
During the programme, greetings were delivered by NMPO president P. Karaiba Francis and SAPO president Er. Tepul Hopovi, while convenor of the Joint Committee, Dr. Ng. Peter, delivered the welcome address.
Traditional blessing and exchange were led by K. Namba, chief of Maram, and Yose Chaya, elder from Viswema. Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the centenary monolith and traditional presentations by Southern Angamis and Northern Maram communities.
The programme was compered by K. Karaiba Moses and Kedozo Yhokha, and chaired by member secretary of the Joint Committee, Pungdi P Celestine. The opening prayer was pronounced by Rev. Zapovil Sophie, senior pastor of Jakhama Baptist Church, while words of gratitude were delivered by Er. Swelul Pucho, member secretary.