The Kuki-Zo community in Manipur made the poignant decision on Saturday, November 1, 2025, to abstain from the state-level Kut festival. This annual post-harvest celebration, traditionally a time of joy and thanksgiving, has been put on hold due to the persistent ethnic conflict gripping the state.
Known as Chavang Kut, this festival is a significant cultural event for Kuki-Zo communities across Manipur, marking the successful completion of the harvest season. However, the ongoing ethnic violence, which erupted in 2023, has forced the community to suspend its celebrations for the second consecutive year.
Despite the somber mood, state leaders extended their greetings. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla described Kut as a “celebration of gratitude, unity, and bountiful harvest,” calling for a strengthening of “bonds of brotherhood among all communities.” Similarly, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh shared his wishes, stating that the festival “embodies the spirit of unity, peace, and brotherhood among all communities of the State” and expressed hope for “happiness, prosperity, and harmony to every home.”
However, Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), explained the community’s decision. “The Kut festival has been celebrated for many decades and is even recognized as a state holiday,” Vualzong said. “But with the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in 2023, our community felt it necessary to skip its largest festival.” He emphasized that “until the community receives some form of resolution from the government, it’s unlikely we will resume celebrating the festival.” The decision underscores the deep impact of the unrest on the cultural life and traditions of the Kuki-Zo people.