RECONCILIATION, THE KUKI-ZO WAY

In olden times, the Kuki-Zo people had a system of reconciling conflicts which was unique. However, more than the system through which it was resolved, the more honourable part was that both side kept their words. They not only forgave, they also reconciled.

In our society, when there were conflicts between people over any issue, be it over land, hereditary claimant to eldership, chiefship, discord over animals, mistaken killings, or even inter-village boundary disputes, they followed a system called Ki Twilut. The conflicting parties or claimants would be called to the river or any water body. The priest would perform certain rituals and one person each from opposing groups would be asked to dive inside the water together. The belief is that the wrong claimant would find it hard to stay under the water and float whereas the person who was right would not find it difficult to stay beneath. This was how conflicts were resolved and the losing party also respected the verdict. However, it didn’t end there.

The person who lost the ‘trial’ would be made to cut a pig, and both the parties would dine together. Thus, the conflict was not only resolved, but emphasis was given on reconciliation between the parties concerned, and that was Khankho. There was also a belief that whoever doesn’t honour that verdict later, or would till harbour vengeance, would receive a curse.

In the current context of Manipur within the Kuki- Zo groups, there was a misunderstanding in the late 1990s. The wise leaders of the time, realising the foolishness of what had befallen them, met and charted a course of peace. They not only signed a peace declaration, they also reconciled over a feast which was to signify that reconciliation is now complete. Dining together was also to signify that, as a family, we would all endeavour to maintain that concord. It was not to be broached again.

Therefore, if any leader or laymen refer to such issues as had happened in our past, or still harbour anger and vengeance spirt, such people have erred. They have not followed the paths of our fathers or our traditions. The right-thinking people should admonish them, and if anyone persist, it would be the duty of the concerned party to ostracise him/her for that person or party have dishonoured his/her community.