Photo Courtesy: nenow
Aizawl: The inaugural Mizo Integration Cultural Festival opened Thursday night at the Saikawt Village Playground in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. This two-day event follows the theme Integration Through Culture, showcasing performances from Mizoram artists alongside local talent from Churachandpur.
The Mizo Integration Council organized the gathering following its August 15, 2025, inception. The group wants to bridge the Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Zomi, and Hmar communities. Before this launch, the council hosted educational seminars featuring notable figures such as former Mizoram Rajya Sabha MP K. Vanlalvena.
Council president RL Haokip wants to foster unity among these groups. He noted that common identity persists despite varying names or dialects. Haokip stated, “Differences in their names and dialects did not divide them.” He noted that participants at meetings in Churachandpur, also called Lamka, speak freely without needing an outside language.
Chief guest and Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip addressed the crowd. He recalled a 1965 tribal conference in Kanlenpui where regional leaders pushed for single administration. He also pointed to the 1986 Mizoram Accord led by Laldena, suggesting it left a path for unifying Mizo-inhabited areas. The MLA wants to revisit those specific provisions.
The festival wraps up Friday. Scheduled guests include Mizoram Art and Culture Minister C. Lalsawivunga, political advisor to the Mizoram Chief Minister Lalmuanpuia Punte, and several Kuki-Zo legislators from Churachandpur.
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