The Chin cultural group called Fidi Art & Culture Forum (FACF) participated in Zofest (Zo/Chin cultural festival) in Haflong town, Assam northeast state of India between December 4 and 5. Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) organizes the Zofest each year and participants like the Zo tribes (Zohnahthlak) come from Bangladesh, Mayanmar, and Indian states such as Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
“Our Zo (Chin) tribes were separated under British colonial rule in three countries. It is a great pleasure to get a chance for a reunion with our brothers from different locations in this programme. We are very happy for a chance to share our Zo tribes cultural programme,” said Salai Holy, Coordinator of FACF.
FACF has 19 members and this is the first time it is participating in Zofest. The main theme of Zofest is ‘Let Us Reunite’ for Zo people in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The participants are Moria, Khaileng, Khiang, Bawm, and Pang tribes from Bangladesh; Ranglong, Darlong, Halam, Chorai, Molsom, Sakechep and Kaihpeng tribes from Tripura state, India; Hmar, Biate, Hrangkhawl, Kuki and Vaiphei tribes from Assam state, India; Gangte, Chiru, Komrem, Aimol, Simte, Zou, Kuki, Paite, Hmar and Maring tribes from Manipur state, India; Singpho tribe from Arunachal Pradesh state, India; Mizo, Paite, Lai, Mara, Páng, Ranglong, Bawm and Hmar tribes from Mizoram state India. There were more than 1,000 representatives at Zofest.