In the Beginning

By Ningreichon Tungshang | EMN

When life was breathed Hope and dignity was weaved Thy who gave us freedom Gave us land we now protect, With our lives and history So that our stories and streams will be free And our minds and spirit un-oppressed Our ancestors taught us land is sacred And gave us their songs That binds us Our journey is long Our manna is running short But the harvest is nigh For us to greet the memory of them, who gave us the elements; Of life and dignity of struggle Urra Uvie! Urra Uvie March to the shore Where the salt of life Will be known by its light and shadows shall roam no more when all shall toil and rest and know what peace is That, Our fathers and brothers be freed from shame Our mothers and sisters mourn without regrets Our children cry free from fear For the land was given To protect us, yes to protect us In the beginning When life was breathed When hope and dignity was weaved!

(Ningreichon Tungshang is a human rights activist and a mother of three children.)