As uncertainty looms large over the Naga accord, the future is at stake, not only for the Nagas in particular and the North-East India in general, but also for the other indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland- much forgotten in the vagaries of time. One such community is the Kukis of Nagaland, who Jonathan Glancey calls as the ‘Honorary’ Nagas. It’s even sadder that we are reduced to just an indigenous inhabitant, denied of equal role and importance that we once shared in the nascent days of Naga political movement, by a new category that has sprung up called 14 Naga Tribes of Nagaland. At times I wonder, what my own uncle was thinking when he worked as a Tatar in the NNC from the 1960s till the early 1970s: was he there just passing his time to avoid village boredom, or was he there for a cause he believed in!
Going further back, when the Naga Club was formed in 1918, Nagas were one scattered and divided lot. A Konyak was as different from an Angami and a Sema as uniquely different as an Ao. The British called them collectively as Nagas and that was the loose thread that bound them. Thus, thinking of Kukis as different from themselves didn’t arise, and the other Naga tribes never treated Kukis differently nor did the Kukis think of themselves as different from the people with whom they were inhabiting these sublime hills. The Naga Club had to play a vital role in bringing together these recalcitrant tribes to a common platform and they ushered in the formation of modern day Naga nation. The petition to the Simon Commission is acknowledged as the bedrock on which Naga politics stands, and it was in all these that Kukis played important roles. Lengjang’s contribution in the Naga Club and his legacy was continued by the Kukis of Naga Hills. There was a Kuki Tribal Council under the Kohima Central Council of Naga National Council (NNC). When Akbar Hydari discussed with the Naga delegates and signed the 9 Point Agreement, the following tribes participated: Western Angamis, Eastern Angamis, Kukis, Kacha Nagas (Zeliangs), Rengmas, Semas, Lothas, Aos, Sangtams and Changs. SeikhohenKuki was a member of the first Naga delegation to meet Jawaharlal Nehru for Naga independence. When NNC was first formed, every Naga citizen was supposed to directly contribute towards it. Contributions ranged from 1 rupee to 100 or more. But only seven tribes namely, Ao, Sema, Eastern Angami (Chakhesang), Angamis, Lotha, Rengma and Zeliang-Kukis contributed to it. During the Naga Plebiscite on 16 May, 1951 the Kuki leaders of the time like OnpaoKuki (President, Kuki Union), PaochungKuki (Chief of Khaibung), Dr LenzalalKuki (Chief of Bungsang) and SubedarKhupjaletKuki pressed their finger in favour of Naga independence. MegortoLiegise (an Executive Member of NNC) and Pule also went around Kuki villages to collect thump impression. The NNC leadership were not blind to the presence of Kukis in Manipur and their difference with the Nagas as such, but gave space and acceptance to the Kukis of Naga Hills due to their ‘unique history’.
Though Kukis were abit late in joining the Naga Army, in 1960, the leaders of Kuki Union Committee met Federal Army General Aveto and Brigadier Toka. In the presence of Goto, the ‘Western SumiHoho’ leader, they had a meeting whereby they had an agreement after which Kukis also joined the Naga Army/Federal Army. Kuki areas in present day Ahthibung Sub-Division of Peren District witnessed some of the fiercest fights between Naga Armies and Indian Armies.
The Naga People’s Convention (NPC) and its actions have found equal critics as it has supporters. Nevertheless, to its credit, it gave us the first real deal, a statehood within which Nagas could develop themselves before better accords come about. JangkhuseiKuki was one of the Drafting Member, appointed by the Sub-Committee of the NPC, to prepare a draft for the Naga Political Settlement. Later, when the 16 Point Agreement was signed between NPC and Govt. of India, ThinuowholieLeigiese signed as a representative of Zeliang-Kuki. Thus, a Kuki representative has also signed on the very agreement that has given us statehood.
The relationship between the Kukis and the other Naga tribes go far beyond even the British time. Kukis and Angamis of Khonoma, especially Semoma Clan, had a Treaty of Friendship, to stand by each other in good or bad times alike. Similar peace treaty was had with the Zeliangs, both cemented by drinking water through the barrel of a musket. The British would not separate the Kukis from the other Nagas tribes in its administrative policies, and would often write Kukis as Nagas. Thus, identity constructions were often shaped by British policies. Relationships that were fostered in the pre-Christian era was carried forward, when the Angamis reached out to the Kukis and Zeliangs with the gospel, and Zeliangs and Kukis were under the same church association known as Zeliang-Kuki Association from 1926-1953. Infact, T. Haolai served as the President of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in the early 1970s.
The entry of Nagas from Manipur in Naga political movement and the dominant role they played, and the straight jacketed differentiation between Nagas, Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur, hasn’t helped much in appreciating the role of the Kukis of Nagaland in Naga movement. The frequent bickering between Manipur Kukis and Nagas also seem to confuse people’s perception of the Kukis of Nagaland. However, right from the Kuki Union Committee formed in 1952 to KukiInpi (Hoho) Nagaland that is the apex body today, it remains wholly Nagaland centric.
In Naga tradition, when a new village is established in the thick jungles, and settlements made amidst the frequent invasion of wild weeds and animals, the earliest settlers who have cleared the jungle and made the village livable are the ones who go through the most difficult times. Their contributions are also remembered once when the village starts flourishing. Similarly, at this tumultuous and momentous time in history, let us not forget the age-old Naga traditions of yore, of remembering and honouring co-labourers, those that have painstakingly laboured at those critical times to help us reach our present position, and of which Kukis were one important member. When Kukis were chased and heckled around in the 1990s by those who could not appreciate our history, there wasn’t one Christian who spoke up for us. Hope History treats us better this time!
