UKHRUL/KANGPOKPI, AUG 22: The Sadar Hills Television and Cinema Foundation (SAHITCIF) has announced a major initiative to establish a dedicated Kuki-Zo Heritage Centre in Sadar Hills, aimed at safeguarding, celebrating and promoting the rich cultural legacy of the Kuki-Zo community.
The SAHITCIF was founded on August 19 at Molthang Village in Kangpokpi district, while its first foundation meet was held on August 22 at the Kangpokpi district headquarters.
The proposed heritage centre is envisioned as a multifaceted cultural hub that would serve as an active institution for community engagement, education and creative production.
According to SAHITCIF, the proposed centre would include a dedicated space for archiving, protecting and showcasing historical artefacts, oral histories and traditions of the Kuki-Zo people.
It is also proposed to have an academy for performing arts where younger generations can learn traditional music, indigenous instruments and folk dances. The centre would further provide resources for scholars, historians and students undertaking academic and historical research on Kuki-Zo heritage.
Another proposed component is a documentary and media production facility to support filmmakers and creators in producing documentaries and visual media exploring the history, stories and contemporary life of the Kuki-Zo community.
SAHITCIF emphasised that preserving indigenous identity through both traditional practices and modern media is essential for future generations. The foundation said it plans to begin the initial development stages of the heritage centre in the coming months.
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To mark the foundation of SAHITCIF, a friendly football match was organised at Amigos Arena in Sapermeina, featuring teams from the Kangpokpi Police Department, district-level officers, Sadar Hills civil society organisations and the Sadar Hills film fraternity.
The event received the support of Deputy Chief Minister Pi Nemcha Kipgen, who assured her support and commitment towards the establishment of the proposed heritage centre.
Members of the film industry, arts and culture sector and others also participated in the event.
The proposed centre is expected to serve as a platform for cultural preservation, education, historical research and creative production, while providing future generations with greater access to the community’s cultural heritage.
