With the release of white pigeons marking a symbolic moment of peace, a stone monolith titled “Testament of Friendship” was inaugurated in Changki on Tuesday, publicly reaffirming centuries-old ties between the Ao Naga communities of Changki and Longjemdang and the Tai Ahom people.
The monument, inaugurated by Tai Ahom Prince Rajkumar Alok Narayan Singha during the second day of the Changki–Tai Ahom Cultural Connect, stands as a symbol to relationships shaped over generations through refuge, trade, trust and matrimonial ties.
Addressing the gathering, Ao Senden President Marsanen Imsong framed the occasion as an act of historical reclamation rather than reinvention.
“We are not here to invent a new history, but to clear the weeds from the ancient path that our ancestors walked long ago,” he said.
Recalling Changki’s role as a historic gateway between the Naga Hills and the plains, Imsong spoke of long-standing connections rooted in shelter offered during times of unrest, economic exchange and inter-community marriages.
“Our history is written not merely in ink, but in blood and matrimonial ties,” he said, adding that unity does not demand the loss of identity but thrives on mutual respect and cooperation.
He urged younger generations to move beyond suspicion and transform “disputed fields” into “prosperity zones,” encouraging collaboration in commerce, education and technology.
Jangpetkong Senso Mungdang President C Imo Walling also reflected on the deep historical relationship between the two communities, strengthened through mutual refuge and shared experiences over generations.
“Our friendship is a legacy woven through centuries, and it is our responsibility to preserve it with unity, respect, and by teaching our children the stories of cooperation that bind us together,” he said.
In his solidarity message, Advisor for Transport and Technical Education and MLA Temjenmenba Pongen drew from oral histories passed down by elders, recounting how a Tai Ahom king once gifted two boatloads of salt – a rare and valuable commodity – to the Changki villagers.
“Trust and friendship can only be earned,” he said. “The very fact that the Ahom King took shelter in Changki shows the trust he had in the Changki people.”
Calling the monolith a historic moment in continuing ancestral ties, he added:
“We can change friends, but we cannot change neighbors. In this context, today’s historic event between the Tai Ahoms and the Changki people is deeply significant. We are writing a new chapter of our friendship today.”
He urged both communities to act as ambassadors of peace and strengthen relations for future generations.
Speaking on behalf of the Tai Ahom community, Prince Rajkumar Alok Narayan Singha affirmed the enduring place of the Ao Nagas in Tai Ahom historical memory.
“Our two communities have largely lived in peaceful harmony with no record of major conflict,” he said, highlighting marital, economic and cultural exchanges that deepened the relationship.
He added that freedom of movement, mutual refuge and cooperation during times of unrest reflected shared values of trust and fraternity.
“It is now our collective responsibility to carry this legacy of unity forward,” he said, adding that Changki would stand as a witness to the enduring bond between the two communities.
Cultural presentations by the Society for Tai Ahom Resurgence (STAR) and Changki Watsu Telok revisited early cross-community marriages, including narratives surrounding Masemnaro of Changki and her marriage beyond the village.
Padma Shri awardee Prof. Jogendra Nath Phukan presented historical overviews of Ao–Ahom relations, while a seminar titled “A Conversation on Relationships Between Tai Ahom and Changki (Ao Naga)” at Orija Salang examined evolving social and trade relations in contemporary contexts. Leaders from Changki, Longjemdang and the Tai Ahom community committed to strengthening ties through future cultural exchange programs.
The day concluded with traditional bonfire lighting, community music performances and a unity dance involving participants from both communities.
The Changki–Tai Ahom Cultural Connect will conclude on February 11 with a trek to the historic shelter site associated with Tai Ahom King Swargado Gadadhar Singha at Tzusasa, Changki – a location that continues to anchor oral histories linking the two communities across generations.