Kanggui: The Elmun Council, the apex body of the Thadou Elmun clan, held a traditional Maicham blessing ceremony for Daniel Kipgen at Kholmunlen village in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District on Thursday.
Kipgen, who is the president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Sadar Hills and an intending candidate for the 51-Saitu (ST) Assembly Constituency, received blessings from his maternal family and clan elders during the ceremony. The event was attended by family members, village elders, and members of the Elmun/Thadou clan from different villages.
The ceremony was led by Rev. Letkam Elmun who offered prayers for Kipgen’s future endeavours, good health and success in his political journey. Pu Paojagin Elmun delivered the traditional blessing message and encouraged the young leader to uphold the values of the clan and serve the people with honesty and dedication.
As part of the tradition, the Elmun Council (The Thadou Clan) presented him with a traditional gong and a Samal as a mark of honour and blessing. The gong and Samal are considered sacred symbols of honour, authority and good fortune in Thadou culture, and are presented during important occasions.
Speaking on the occasion, members of the Elmun Council (The Thadou Clan) expressed their pride in Daniel Kipgen and extended their full support to his political aspirations. They said the Maicham ceremony is an age-old tradition of the Kuki community to bless a member of the maternal family before taking up a major responsibility.
Daniel Kipgen thanked his maternal family and the Thadou clan (Elmun Council) for their love, prayers and blessings and said he would continue to work for the welfare of the people of Saitu and the entire Sadar Hills. The Elmun Council or the Thadou clan has 6 sub-clans, they are Lhouvum, Sitlhou, Thomsong, Singsit, Lhoujem and Singson.
