Khiamniungan brothers from Myanmar shares their experience about the Hok-Ah festival at Langnok.

Seven Khiamniungan brothers, the oldest 73 and the youngest 26 years old from Myanmar came to take part in the Hok-Ah festival at Langnok village on 16-17 January. Two from Khamti district and five from Lahe district of Myanmar, while some could effort to come by bike half way and others walking on foot taking three days to make it to the destination of Langnok Village inorder to participate in the Hok-Ah festival organised by the Nokhu Range Public Organization. Despite greater challenges, the group showed resilience and determination to meet their brothers separated by the borders and wirness the festival. "We are separated by the border but we have come happily to thus festival," they said. It takes one whole day to reach Noklak by bike. "We come to Noklak to buy Diesal starting our journey early in the morning and reaching in the evening," they said. Border don't seems to affect their bonds and relationship they share. 'Our forefathers always shared a strong relationship, we are the sons of same father,' says 73 years old Khumong. "We were one but got separated by the Indian government," he further says. The group expressed their happiness and appreciation for the wonderful hospitality given by the Langnok brothers and hopes to come back in the next year again, adding that they are happy to see their Khiamniungan brothers progressing in many ways. Separation seem to have caused so much of pains and sufferings to the Khiamniungan brothers of Myanmar. They laments sorrowfully the conflicts in Myanmar, they are not able to do anything. ' People are suffering and dying because of the war. We are bearing all the pains and living this life. When we come here( Noklak), we are heartfelt to see good roads and houses. We cannot see any development in Myanmar," says 57 year old Chai. "We are Khiamniungan as one but separated as Indian and Myanmar', he adds. They strongly assert that border cannot separate them saying ' we don't want this border fencing dividing us as India and Myanmar because we never lived any under anyone,' The requests the Khiamniungan brothers of India to fight for the removal of fencing. 'I walked 3-4 days to reach and I will go back walking. I don't know in how many days I will reach while returning. I will go back and tell stories of what I have seen and I will come back next year. Though we are separated, we will always look for one another,' says Chai. The journey of crossing the border walking on foot or riding on a bike on a poor road condition to attend the festival reflects their love towards their Khiamniungan brothers of India and also the spirit oneness in embracing culture.