Manipur's Kangpokpi marks Palm Sunday with unity and hope

The Christian community in Manipur's Kangpokpi gathered in large numbers on the streets to celebrate Palm Sunday — a symbolic commemoration of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
 

Although a modest public observance took place last year, this year saw a remarkable resurgence with an overwhelming turnout — the largest since the ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023. The streets of Kangpokpi District Headquarters came alive with songs, prayers, and jubilant cries of worship.

From the elderly to the youngest children, boys and girls, men and women marched together with palm branches in hand, proclaiming: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Their chants rang through the air as the procession wound through the streets under the watchful eyes of bystanders — some joining in, others watching in awe at the sight of unity returning to a town long torn by conflict. The procession, which moved along National Highway 2, was a powerful reminder of the community’s strength and unshakable faith.

Palm Sunday — also known as Passion Sunday, Willow Sunday, and Flower Sunday — holds a significance that extends beyond its religious meaning. For the thousands of displaced Kuki-Zo people, it has come to symbolise something deeper: a longing for peace, for home, and for the day they can return to their villages. It is a sacred expression of hope in the midst of hardship.

The occasion also marks the beginning of Holy Week — the most solemn and sacred week in the Christian calendar — leading up to Easter Sunday. It serves as a time of deep reflection, commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ’s life, from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion and resurrection.

Across Kangpokpi town, special church services were held in every congregation, followed by Palm Sunday processions that brought people together in prayer, song, and solidarity.

In a heartfelt message resonating with spiritual depth and social urgency, the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills extended Palm Sunday greetings, urging the community to embrace unity and brotherhood amid the ongoing ethnic unrest.

Thangminlen Kipgen, President of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, reminded the faithful of the true essence of Palm Sunday — Christ’s triumphant yet humble entry into Jerusalem, not with force or pride, but with a message of peace and reconciliation.