Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 17 2010:
Hundreds of people have been visiting the only surviving Maram-naga queen in Manipur's Senapati district to take blessing after she was seriously ill and bed ridden.
The eighty six year old Maram Queen Apei Hinga who has been seriously-ill and is being looked after intensively round the clock by her only surviving son and present khullakpa (village chief) K Namba and granddaughters at Maram Khullen village, around 86 km north of Imphal.
A team of Maram Students' Union also visited the queen and found her health in a deteriorating condition.
Few days ago she was taken to JN Hospital in Imphal but compelled to rush back to her native Maram Khullen village, feeling the urgent need of performing timely customary rituals.
Known for her justice and a peace loving mother, Naga Womens' Union Manipur (NWUM) has conferred a title as the 'Best Mother' in 2006 .
Pioneer Health Club Manipur with its Office at Khurai Tinsit Road, Imphal has acknowledged and awarded a citation to the Queen on International Day of Older persons in 1st October 2009 .
Being the only female Chieftain among the Naga tribes, the oldest Queen has graced and blessed this year's Naga-Seed-Sowing Festival (Lui-Ngai-Ni) at Katomei Village in Senapati on February 15 last.
Though frail in body but with an indomitable spirit, it is note worthy to mention that the Queen has carried out all the customary and traditional rituals and practices very efficiently and is respected by all.
MKS in a statement here said, the Queen has brought about many social changes in the Maram Society by abolishing in 1968, the evil-traditional practice of 'M-BUNG KATAI' under which law a pregnant women undergoing a difficult labour is ill-treated, by which law has uphold the present status of women in Maram Society.
Then in 1975, the Queen has also lifted the restriction on inter-clan and inter-tribe marriages.
She also proclaimed the freedom to villagers to start cultivation works on their own convenient season even before or after the Saraha Kati Lura Manai (See-Sowing virtual).
As a kind hearted Queen and a loving mother, even when a criminal (murderer) runs into her house, protection and shelter is ensured.
She is known and recognized as the link to the primitive ways of life with the present generation by upholding the indigenous culture and traditional identity.
Living a disciplined life, the Queen cannot eat what others cook for her rather she cooks by herself and does all work on her own as per the customs.