Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 09 2009:
Along with exchanging greetings for the wellbeing and unity of the group, kinsmen of Mate clan, a sub-tribe of Gangte, today gathered at Sahumphai village in Chandel district to reaffirm their bonding.
Evoking the theme of unity of Mate clan, the get together was organised with the main objective of asserting the existence and rights of the Mate people.
Serving a sumptuous meal to the brethren of 14 different sub-clans of Mate by Pu Chethangpa, one of the seniormost surviving kinsman, exchange of gifts in the form of traditional cloths and prayer for the wellbeing and unity of the clan were the main highlights of the event.
It is said that although majority of the Mate people are settling in Myanmar, their population scattered in different parts of Manipur is around 10,000 and they communicate in Thadou language.
Speaking at the occasion, social worker Ngamkhothang described it as a rare event aimed at bringing together the brethren of Mate clan to know each other and pray for the unity, peace and all round development of all.
MLA of Chandel Assembly Constituency Thangkhulun Haokip was also present at the occasion attended by many leaders of the Mate clan.