Chuyo is a Naga village that comes under Naga self-administered zone, Myanmar and shares her international border with Arunachal Pradesh, India.
In the old days, the village of Chuyo held many traditions some good, others painful. Among the harshest of these was the belief that giving birth to twins was a curse. In Chuyo, twins were not seen as a blessing. Instead, they were feared, rejected, and sadly, left to die.
Whenever a woman gave birth to twins, the village would react with dread. A villager would shout, “Oh, Kam Gan Noh!” meaning “Enemy of a household.” This cry meant something terrible had happened. As soon as it was heard, everyone whether working in the fields or resting at home would stop whatever they were doing. The whole village would fall silent.
The village priest, called the Gampa, would be called to perform rituals. He would take the newborn twins and carry out spiritual rites to “cleanse” the village. After the rituals, the babies would be placed under a tree known as Gum a special tree believed to hold spiritual significance. But rather than protect the children, the tree became the place where they were abandoned and left to die.
No one would dare help the babies. It was believed that raising twins would bring disaster to the family and the entire village. The people feared that keeping the twins alive would invite bad luck, sickness, or even death. The Gum tree, which should have been a symbol of life, became a place of sorrow and death.
The mother of the twins was not spared either. She was seen as unclean. People believed that anything she touched her clothes, her animals, even the seeds she had stored was cursed. In Chuyo, villagers often shared seeds with one another for planting. But no one would accept seeds from a mother of twins, fearing that they too might give birth to twins.
She became an outcast. People avoided her. She was left alone in her grief. And when she eventually died, her body was not given a proper funeral. The village would not perform the usual burial rites for her. Even in death, she was rejected.
Christianity came to Chuyo in the early 1980s. Churches were built, and people began attending Sunday services. However, even after many people became Christians, the old belief about twins continued. For eighteen years after the church was established, the cruel treatment of twins remained. The Gospel was preached, but this practice remained untouched.
It was not until 1998 that the church finally acted. The village church leaders made a resolution,they declared that all children, including twins, were gifts from God. They stated clearly that the old practice of killing twins was wrong and should end. This decision marked a turning point in the history of the village.
Interestingly, just one year later, a head deacon’s wife gave birth to twins. The whole village watched closely. Would they return to the old ways, or would they stand by the church’s new teaching?
To everyone’s surprise and joy, the family accepted the babies. There was no shout of “Kam Gan Noh.” No rituals were performed. The twins were not taken to the Gum tree. Instead, they were cared for like any other children.
The parents named the twins Lahgang and Chingmei. Lahgang meant “first accepted twins,” marking a new chapter in the village’s history. Chingmei meant “peace,” a symbol of healing and hope. Sadly, Chingmei passed away a few days later. But in her short life, she carried great meaning. Her name and her birth brought peace and broke the chain of cruelty.
Lahgang grew up strong and healthy. His life became a living symbol of change, hope, and victory over darkness. He reminded the village that change was possible that love and truth could overcome fear and superstition.
The story of the twins of Chuyo teaches many lessons. First, it shows how deeply cultural beliefs can shape a community, even when those beliefs cause great harm. Second, it reminds us that changing such traditions takes time and courage. Even after the church arrived in the village, it took eighteen years to finally challenge and change the practice.
But most importantly, this story shows the power of the Gospel. The message of Jesus is not only about saving souls, it is also about bringing justice, healing, and new life to communities. Jesus welcomed the children. He touched the outcasts. He broke down the barriers that separated people. The church in Chuyo finally followed His example and spoke out against the old tradition
The story of The Twins of Chuyo is both painful and beautiful. It is a story of suffering, but also of hope. It shows that even the darkest traditions can be overcome by truth and love. It shows the importance of the church in standing up for the voiceless. And it reminds us that every child, no matter how they are born, is a gift from God.
May the story of Lahgang and Chingmei continue to inspire others. May it encourage churches and communities to speak out against injustice. And may it always remind us that Christ came to bring life, light, and freedom to all.
~ Samson Angnao