HT Bureau
DIPHU, Nov 1: The two-day 18th Shame Langkhon Kham (Langkhon Festival) of the Tiwa tribe, organised by the Tiwa Cultural Society, Karbi Anglong Committee, concluded recently here at the Tiwa Cultural Complex, Ulukunchi in Amri, West Karbi Anglong.
The socio-religious festival, celebrated by the Tiwa community of Assam, is observed to pray for a good harvest in the forthcoming Rabi crop season. Community members offer prayers and make offerings to the deities for prosperity and abundant yields.
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The two-day cultural event featured competitions and performances showcasing traditional Tiwa dances, songs, and music by troupes from various regions.
On the concluding day, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, attended as chief guest. Addressing the gathering, the CEM announced that the KAAC’s financial assistance to the Langkhon Festival, which currently stands at Rs. 5 lakh, will be enhanced to Rs. 20 lakh from next year. He further assured that 100 bighas of land would be allotted to the Tiwa Cultural Society for the construction of artistes’ camps.
Highlighting the concern over the declining use of the Tiwa language, Ronghang said, “In my Bithung Rengthama MAC constituency in West Karbi Anglong, there are around 500 Tiwa voters, but many have forgotten their own language and speak Assamese or other languages.” He added that Tiwa-medium schools have been established to ensure children can learn in their mother tongue at the primary level.
Recollecting the historical ties among the indigenous communities, the CEM said, “When Mikir Hills (now Karbi Anglong district) was created on November 17, 1951, the Karbis, Tiwas, Rengma Nagas and other indigenous tribes lived together and made sacrifices for a separate district to safeguard their identity, culture and language. The KAAC continues to support these efforts.”
Ronghang commended the Tiwa Cultural Society for its role in preserving and promoting Tiwa traditions.
The event was attended by Mawhati MLA Charles Marngar; KAAC Executive Member D. Uphing Maslai; Baithalangso MLA Rupsing Teron; MAC members Headsing Rongphar and Tilottoma Hasnu; Tiwa Mathonlai Tokhra (TMT) president Horsing Kholar; Tiwa Cultural Society, Karbi Anglong Committee president Kumud Mithi; former TMT president Lalsing Madar; former general secretary V. Len Kholar; former ATSU general secretary Niban Ch. Amsih; and reception committee president Atul Khorai and secretary Debol Madar.
