Written by 
Khararthotliva ngashan eina shiyan-chikan hina mi ākhawui ācham-āram kala achei-are katongali chizamida mirinwui tamme oja thada leikasana.”
Traditions and cultures frame the intrinsic characteristics of one’s identity. Written in the vernacular Tangkhul language, Yangkhei Yan- Haori Haorangwui Riyanna, talks about the importance of Tangkhul clothing traditions and cultures in identifying oneself as a Tangkhul. Debut Tangkhul author, VL Aimreishin presses on faith, Tangkhul culture and traditions, identity, traditional Tangkhul clothing and its origin in this non-fiction.
“Āwo-āyina kathada shichinsa khala kachi makathei chiwui vang nguida shichinthui kahai eina kashan-kachon chiwui kakhalat sāshimān mi kahai leikap haira.”
A well-researched and documented work, Yangkhei Yan- Haori Haorangwui Riyanna is truly an archival gem for the present Tangkhul generation in understanding the clothing traditions and cultures of the Tangkhul society and how each clothing has stories of its own pertaining to specific rules and regulations. The author gives vivid accounts of the origin of Tangkhul traditional clothings and the textile history of the Tangkhuls and on preserving the precious age old Tangkhul culture. From the myth of Mansingla of Zingtai, who learned the motifs and patterns weaved on Tangkhul traditional wears, unique to the Tangkhuls, from the deity Leimava to modern loom weavers, VL. Aimreishin gives a detailed analysis of the importance of Tangkhul traditional clothings. The author then appeals to the present Tangkhul generation about the significance and the importance of preserving the cultures and traditions of yore; a wealth, a custom that the Tangkhul forefathers meticulously adhered to.
Thotchān khaleiya miyur sāhaoda ngavaida khalei kashan kachon chinala thangkachida ningli mamalaila phaningung ngasak shonda khaleina.”
An individual’s distinctiveness is directly proportional to their traditional clothings. VL. Aimreishin identifies and reiterates the ideology of preserving one’s traditions and cultures in order to determine self-identity. According to the author, Tangkhul traditional attire serves as an important envoy in upholding the tribal Tangkhul identity. The aspect of faith comes into view in the later part of the book. The Tangkhul ancestors, much before the advent of Christianity, worshiped stones and deities and they followed certain rules and regulations (yan) in order to please their so-called gods. They upholded their gods in every possible way. VL. Aimreishin questions the present Tangkhul generation in upholding the Creator just as how the ancestors (even when they don’t know Christ, they had faith in their gods and adhered to the rules and regulations of their time) put their faith in their gods, so must the present generation put their faith in God.
Yangkhei Yan- Haori Haorangwui Riyanna is informative in its own way. But the question of forming a thin line between upholding modernism and upholding tradition looms around in the narrative. Could this be a problem of the present generation or not? Well, in order to build an identity, roots and culture always come around. It may be pedagogy in a way, but this book illuminates us in bits, reminding us of the rich Tangkhul traditional clothings that we, the Tangkhuls, often take for granted.
- (Self- published by the author; pages 161; INR: 430)