Khuringmul village under Chandel district celebrated its 37th annual harvest festival under the theme, ‘Give honour to God with thy blessings of the harvest’ on Saturday and Sunday.
Founded in 1984, the village is situated 2 km to the west of Pallel Bazar but the stark differences in facilities or the lack thereof relating to transport and communication and other basic amenities are clearly visible.
With a population of about 300 in Khuringmul and the largest village of Tarao tribe in the state having a total population around 1,000 members, the tribe is considered one of the smallest in the state. The lack of basic facilities in the village despite 37 years of its existence points to an alleged lack of attention and negligence on the part of the state authorities in proving the much-needed basic infrastructures to the village.
A release stated that the most obvious indicator is the lack of a bridge to facilitate transportation to the village till date despite repeated appeals and requests to the state authorities. The village is accessed after crossing a river which becomes difficult and often impossible during the rainy season, it stated.
The absence of public health and primary educational centres is still a big hindrance in the efforts of the villagers to provide education and healthcare facilities for those residing in the village, it stated.
The absence of a bridge is still making transportation of goods and other essential items a challenge for the villagers who are mainly skilled craftsmen engaged in traditional basketry and other items of wood and bamboo in transporting and marketing their products outside the village, it stated.
It stated that the efforts of the state government of reaching out to the people of the hill with the ‘Go to Hills” campaign in its second iteration can truly succeed only when such marginalised tribes are taken into the ambit of consideration of the authorities.
Despite these many shortcomings, the villagers managed to make the best of the limited resources available to them. Their spirit of unity and strong social bond is evident in the feast which where the rich and beautiful traditional rituals were observed and displayed.
The highlight of the festival was the various traditional songs and dances presented in colourful traditional attires by various groups, narrating the traditional folklores which have been used to hand down the history and traditions of the Tarao tribe that inhabits the village.
One of the founders and present chief of the village K Solomon narrated the customary story and emphasised the rich and beautiful tradition and customs of the Tarao tribe which has been passed down through generations.
