How Jamir and Rio framed the Ungma- Tuophema bond 25 years ago as part of a broader call for Naga unity
Arenjungla Kichu
Mokokchung | 03 May
At the silver jubilee of Rüna Khrietho-Maong Aksü on May 2, Ungma Village gifted ancestral land to three apex public organisations of Nagaland – Tenyimia Union Nagaland (TUN), Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), and Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), in a symbolic gesture presented as an effort to strengthen Naga unity.
The land, located in the Rempo Lu Astroturf area, was donated by three clans of Ungma Village following the Ungma Declaration initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), and in response to calls for unity made over the years by Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and his predecessors.
According to details shared during the program, the Mekumpong Tongpok Semchir clan donated land to ENPO, Shekiyangba Semchir to TUN, and Lanusowa Semchir to CNTC. The gesture was formalised through legal documentation.
The message accompanying the donation stated: “Land held sacred for generation after generation can be given away for the larger good. The highest use of land is not profit, but purpose.”
In a society where ancestral land is traditionally regarded as sacred inheritance, the gesture was framed by organisers as one of reconciliation, shared identity and collective purpose.
The occasion was witnessed by Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, and former Chief Minister and former Governor of Odisha, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, Dr SC Jamir.
Reflecting on the origins of the Ungma-Tuophema friendship through Rüna Khrietho-Maong Aksü, Jamir said the initiative emerged 25 years ago during a period when Nagaland was marked by a strong public desire for unity, peace and normalcy.
“Twenty-five years ago, the people of Nagaland were different. There was a huge cry from the people that there should be unity, peace and normalcy. Our churches were equally conscious. There were no isms. There was only one apex body, which we called Naga Hoho. All tribal Hohos were walking in harmony.
“Fortunately, during that time, I was number one and Rio was number two.”
Jamir said the vision behind the friendship was strategic: to demonstrate that if major communities could forge visible bonds, wider unity could follow.
“It was conceived that number one, Ao and number two, Angami, two major tribes of Nagaland – if friendship was formed between these two major tribes, the other Naga tribes would follow soon. That was the vision of Rio and myself.
“That was the objective of this friendship. When any movement or change needs to take place from above, only a few must initiate. The main objective was to show that despite different language, different village, we can still be united. What we needed was peace and unity.”
Jamir, speaking to MT, said the silver jubilee was not only a celebration of the past, but a renewal of that mission.
“This celebration was to bring a mission of unity, peace and harmony. Along with the celebration of 25 years, we now have to renew the friendship. We should focus on the people as a whole, with a new outlook. People are more literate, more enlightened, so we need a new vision and cooperation.”
“In the mid-ocean, there was a shipwreck, and now we have only started a rescue mission.”
On reuniting with Rio, Jamir said: “Let the past be past. From now, let us renew that new spirit with which we started – the mission to unite the Naga people.”
Reacting to the land donation, TUN President Kekhwengulo Lea described the gesture as a reflection of brotherhood.
“People always think to get something, not give…We always talk about unity, brotherhood but it does not take place in reality. But today, the real spirit of brotherhood, Nagaism, was reflected by this good gesture,” he told MT.
“Through these types of activities, we greatly hope that Nagas will come together. We hope not only within Nagaland, but that this can extend to other Naga areas such as Manipur, Assam, Myanmar and so on”.
Lea said the significance of the event extended beyond Ungma and Tuophema.
“We thought this celebration was only for the two villages, but it was more than these two communities. It gave a message to all the Nagas.”
Minister G Kaito Aye similarly urged that the spirit of the bond be carried beyond the two villages and into the wider Naga community.
Chief Minister Rio said the vision he shared with Jamir was to build friendship with the Aos through Ungma and with the Angamis through Tuophema. Echoing Minister Aye’s sentiments, he encouraged expanding the relationship between the two villages to the larger Naga community.
Calling the land gifting “historic,” Rio expressed hope that the organisations would make meaningful use of the land in ways that contribute to unity.
He also looked ahead to the future of the friendship.
“The silver jubilee of this friendship will be held in Tuophema… I am 76, and to wait another 50 years, I don’t know whether I’ll be alive to celebrate with you all.”
He urged Tuophema and its satellite villages to prepare for hosting the 50th year celebration.
As Rüna Khrietho-Maong Aksü marked its 25th year, the recurring message from speakers was that what began as a friendship between Ungma and Tuophema was intended not merely as a bond between two villages, but as part of a broader vision of peace, cooperation and unity among Nagas.
