Ref.No.59/WKZIC-GHQ/(Memo)/2023-25.
Press:
"MEMORANDUM"
11th April, 2025
From: Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC)-GHQ, Songpi-Lamka, Kuki Hills, India.
Subject: Lai Chawhte Clansmen Manmasis settled at Kounapung @ Koubru circa 601-605 BC, and Haokip Clansmen established SAITU dating backs to 1450-1500 AD, and Saitu hamlet Makhan (Liangmei) offered a dog (1700-1720) as tribute to the Chief of Saitu Pu Lamkhopao, seeking permission to stay at 'Lungvahphai Vale' of the Saitus.
Dated: Songpi, the 11th April 2025 (Friday).
Background: During the later part of pre-historic era circa 601-605 BC, the Manmasis after reaching central Asia, the adventurious group headed towards Bay of Bengal, some stayed back, while the other groups roamed upto Tipra (Tripura), and later dispersed into Northeast India and Chittagong Hill Tracts. The advanced group Manmasis also known as Khongjais occupied the present day Khongjai Hills (1741-42) which was later known as Kuki Hills (1852-1949) during the colonial era, which was concealed by the colonial British for resisting the British supremacy over their ancestral territory by revolting from 1917-1919. It is to note that all the Hill tribes sending Labours Corps at the order of the colonial authority were granted Political Territories as rewards, whereas Kuki Hills was concealed for more than a century, which was atlast procured by Kuki Scholars in 2022.
Chieftaindoms: The most daring and adventurous Manmasi Kuki-Chin Poi/Pawite clansmen such as Saibu, Koibu and Maring and conglomerate 'Rem/Riem/Riam Family' kins including Aimol, Chiru, Chothe (Chawhte), Kom, Kharam, Purum, Koireng, Koirao (Thangal), also known as Lai/ Poi/ Pawi in Chinland and Mizoram, alongwith other Kuki-Chin 'Pakan Family' such as Anal and Lamkang belonged to the Kuki-Chin family were the first to settle in the 'Kounapung' meaning "Calling Bell", current Koupulu or Koubru ranges, (Source: Ralngam Chawhte) around 30 AD and flourished their respective Chieftaindoms as below:
i) Makeng Ningthou (Thangal), ii) Mombi (Lonpi) Ningthou (Haokip), iii) Chassad Ningthou (Haokip), iv) Maring Ningthou, v) Chothe Ningthou, vi) Thayong Ningthou (Kom), vii) Tonglhu Ningthou (Touthang), viii) Kharam Ningthou, and ix) Tayang (Teijang) Ningthou (Kipgen) respectively, (Sarangthem Bormani Singh, Meitei Ningthourol, P.7) having cordial relationships with Kanglei Manipur kingdom. The site was named "Kounapung" in Kuki-Chin dialect to mean 'Calling Bell' which the head clansman would striked to bring together his clansmen.
Saitu and Saitu Haokips: The adventurious Manmasi Khongjai Haokip clansmen while exploring the region which was abundantly inhabited by various wild animal species including tigers and elephants, the location came to be known as 'SAITU' where heaps of elephants tusks were excavated in the Saitu Lhang region (Elephant Region). No written records available except some colonial era documentations and oral history, myths, mythologies and fables. Written records stated that Saitu was established around 1450-1500 AD, (The Kukis of Manipur: A Historical Study & The History of Manipur). Saitu neighbouring villages of the time are: i) Thingsat Kuki, ii) Tujang Kuki, iii) Maohing Kuki, and iv) Thonglang (Liangmei) respectively. Historical Saitu boundary extends from:
*East:* Chassad via Jildung River,
*West:* Tuilang/ Jiri River,
*North:* Senapati,
*South:* Sekmai
Saitu Hamlet Makhan: Some 200-220 years ago, during 1700-1720 AD, Makhan Liangmei clansmen offered one "Dog as tribute to Saitu Chief, Pu Lamkhopao Haokip" (Great, Great Grandfather of Shri. Tongmang Haokip, a retired IRS), seeking permission to stay for awhile in the territory of the Saitus, who alloted 'Lungvahphai' location for the Makhans to settle as 'Good Friend' neighbours, (Source: Pu Doukholun Haokip, Saitu).
Saitu Hamlets & Sub-Hamlets:* The first and foremost site or location of Saitu village was the "Vale/ Dale of Koupulu" near the 'Koupulu Wetland'. Village site changes from time to time as per Kuki traditional system of jhuming cultivations, for villagers to shift to other parts of their territory for easier access to virgin lands for bountiful cultivation and harvest.The present location of historical 'SAITU VILLAGE' is the third location having 12/13 hamlet villages such as: 1) Kholep, 2) Pangmol, 3) Santing, 4) G. Songlung, 5) Gelbung, 6) Sipijang, 7) Mongpijang, 8) Silen, 9) Chajang, 10) Buongpi, 11) Saitu Gamphajol, 12) Phalbung villages etc from Saitu village, as per Kuki Customary system of establishing new villages by elder clans and sub-elder clans. The Saitu hamlets further have their respective 12-15 sub-hamlet villagers.
Saitu-Koupulu Friendship:* Before the advent of Christianity, the Manmasis/ Khongjais or Kukis worshipped deities such as Nungjainu, Nungjaipa, Gampi, Gampu, Maltong, Tuitote. Tuinahte etc etc. The Saitu Kukis also worshipped and made friendship with the deiteis of Kounapung/ Koubru, who blessed them with wealth, fame and assets in the form of livestock mithuns (Gayal) and other livestocks. One Saitu daughter by the name of Boinu Haokip, sister of Pu Paolen Haokip (Ex-MP) was married to the Koupulu diety. The Koupulus presented one 'White Gong' to the Saitu Haokips as token, and as a "Messenger" to let them (Koupulus) know when they are happy or sad (Celebrations or Death/Condolence) as good friends.Recently, on the 1st July 2023, Pu Paolen Haokip (Ex-MP), former Chief and father of encumbent Chief, Tongmang Haokip, (Rtd IRS) passed away and expired. To verify the validity of the past "Saitu-Koupulu" relationship and signal, elders instructed youths to strike the 'Koupulu White Gong'. Unexpectedly, only at a single sounding, like an electric current, sudden heavy wind accompanied by showers of rain witnessed the condolence programme of Pu Paolen Haokip, at his residence courtyard of Saitu village, Kangpokpi district (Source: Pu Doukholun Haokip, Saitu elder).
Meiteis and Koubru (Koupulu) Deities:* According to elders from Saitu, it was only the Sekmais who worshipped Koupulu Deity in the beginning, and no Meitei used to come to the hill range for generations. "Koubru Chingkaba is a recent pilgrimage phenomena started way back from mid 1950s-1960s", stated local elders from Saitu village.
Appeal: The elder villagers of Saitu also exclaimed that younsters never knew the bond of relationships between *'Saitu Kukis and Liangmei Nagas'* thereby posing unnecessary disturbances for Kuki commuters from Kangpokpi to Churachandpur (Songpi) and vice-versa, in and around Makhan village, during such hardtimes as this for the Kukis. It is therefore appeal to one and all, not to create any inconviniences or disturbances on humanitarian ground and as fellow tribals and Christians.
Conclusion: The Census of 1951 for Manipur documented 611 Kuki villages, 359 Manipuri Naga villages and 103 villages belonging to *'Others Category'* Non-Kuki and Non-Naga communities in the state in 1951. Moreover, another documantation, *"Census of India 1951 for Manipur, Tripura and Assam"* also documented about 1,20,000 populations belonging to *"Any Kuki Tribes"* including Rangkhol Kukis, who have already migrated into Tripura, not found anymore in the state of Manipur. Apart from the above, about 10,000 Kukis have already migrated into Israel from 2002 onwards in batches.
Inspite of the above facts, some communities on jealousy continued to tag ethnic Kukis as immigrants and refugees, out of hatred and incompitibility, is an act of cowardice and jealousy upon Kukis who numbered about 120 comparing to 21 Meiteis and 01 Tangkhul in the Indian National Army (INA) under Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose during 1942-1945 in the Indian Independence movement, (Source: Manipur Ke Senani Ek Shradhanjali, Freedom Fighters from Manipur, publised by Dept.of Art & Culture, Govt.of Manipur, 2010).
Sd/-(SAMUEL T. ZOU) General Secretary, WKZIC-GHQ,
Sd/- (DR.TS HAOKIP),
President, WKZIC-GHQ,
~ WKZIC
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