Dimapur: The Nagaland Tourism Department has issued a formal apology to the Khiamniungan Union Kohima following the omission of the Khiamniungan Tribe’s name in the Heritage Guide Map displayed during the Hornbill Festival 2024.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Khiamniungan Union Kohima, Tourism Director Veyielo Doulo expressed regret for the oversight, acknowledging that it had caused “deep discontentment and unhappiness” among the tribe’s members. The department clarified that the omission was unintentional and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.
“We acknowledge the significance of recognizing and respecting the cultural heritage and identity of all indigenous communities, including all sub-tribes of the state,” the letter stated, adding that steps would be taken to prevent similar lapses in the future.
The Khiamniungan Union Kohima had previously highlighted several grievances, including the tribe’s omission from the morung display board and the cultural troupes’ introductions during the festival’s opening ceremony. Mispronunciations of the tribe’s name at subsequent events further compounded the community’s dissatisfaction.
In its letter to the Tourism Department, the Union emphasized that these grievances were not isolated incidents but the result of longstanding neglect. The feeling of dejection lingers in the minds of the community which the concerned authority of the day had overlooked and neglected. It may be stated that the grievance is not a sudden outburst rather cumulative one, an outcry whereby the community is on the verge of boycott which the Union finds difficult to diffuse,” the letter read.
The Union demanded an immediate apology and correction of the map before the festival’s morning session, warning of potential repercussions if their concerns were not addressed.
In response, the Tourism Department assured the Khiamniungan community of its commitment to rectifying such errors and strengthening engagement with the tribe. “We are committed to rectifying this kind of situation in the years to come to ensure that the Khiamniungan Tribe is properly represented and acknowledged,” Doulo responded.
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