A Tribute to Haipou Jadonang

Almost a century ago on this day the 29th Aug 1931 when Haipou Jadonang sacrificed his life on the gallows, his vision “Hau Makaam Gwang Tupuni” ( Nagas will reign ) and “Makaam Gwangdi “ ( Naga Raj ) are less understood than. He envisioned a future in which Nagas would work together to build a better and honourable future for themselves. He wanted Nagas to be able to stand up to the New world around them without losing their culture and traditions. Makaam Gwangdi was for him a kingdom of equality and brotherhood, a world where people will not suffer from want, discrimination etc. In short, it was “Millenium of the Nagas“ (according to Ursula Graham Bower in her Naga Path, London 1950) which remained unfulfilled. In fact, today the Naga Society is more divided than ever before. We fight among us, we fight with neighbours. We blame the world for our problems without admitting our own. We blame “Bangladeshis“ but no one wants to do the hardwork. Even if we gain independence today we will remain slave to our vices and someone else will come and take over us. Jadonang began his mission in a part of present Manipur State against the imperialist ruler. After the fall of Khonoma he was the first among Nagas to raise the flag of rebellion against the colonist rule and gave his life for the cause. What have we done in return? We have vilified him and his movement as anti modern ( Interestingly, those who portrayed him and his movement as a barrier to modernisation of the Nagas are now realising (?) and sending their children to do PhD in some Indian or Foreign University on the “Tribal heritage of Nagas “ etc ). While we amend for our past mistakes we need to work towards erasing class differences in our Society. We need to build a society that is based on Love for each other and respect for our traditions rather than hate for our brothers around us. That would be the befitting tribute to Haipou Jadonang.

Haipou Jadonang Ringtelo Zeliangrong Ringtelo

Thaban Rongmei