Imphal, Aug 10: Assam Rifles commemorated World Tribal Day on August 9 across Larong Khunou, Larong Khullen and Vomku in Chandel district, as well as Kwatha in Tengnoupal district of Manipur, celebrating the region’s rich indigenous heritage, traditions and cultural identity.

The programmes brought together local communities and Assam Rifles personnel, providing a platform to showcase traditional practices and encourage greater awareness about the importance of preserving indigenous culture.
At Kwatha, 73 local residents, including 38 men and 35 women, participated in the celebrations. Participants proudly displayed traditional Anal Naga and Lamkang Naga attire, highlighting the distinctive cultural heritage of the communities.
Interactive sessions held during the programme focused on the preservation of indigenous languages, customs and traditional knowledge. Participants discussed the importance of passing cultural practices and community traditions to younger generations and encouraged youth to remain connected with their cultural roots.
The celebrations also highlighted the role of indigenous communities in preserving the region’s cultural diversity. Through dialogue and cultural participation, the programme sought to promote mutual understanding and respect among different communities.
Special emphasis was placed on encouraging young people to value their ancestral traditions while embracing opportunities for education, development and greater community participation.
The events also served as an avenue for strengthening interaction between Assam Rifles personnel and local residents. Officials said such community-oriented initiatives help build trust, promote mutual respect and foster stronger bonds between security forces and the people.
The World Tribal Day observances across Chandel and Tengnoupal reflected the importance of protecting indigenous identity and cultural heritage while promoting unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The celebrations underscored that preserving traditional languages, attire, customs and knowledge is essential to safeguarding the cultural legacy of tribal communities for future generations.