Some villages could not celebrate Christmas because of famine

Some villages in Chin state could not celebrate Christmas 2008 because of famine, caused by bamboo flowering.

A report said that the 80 per cent of Chin state used to celebrate Christmas every year, but this time they could not.

Zo Human Rights Foundation, based in Manipur Indo-Myanmar border, member Mr.Min Thang said, "It was very sad that Chika villagers could not celebrate Christmas by having pigs and Mithun. They only prayed and worshipped in the Church."

The main reason is bamboo flowering followed by famine in Chin state which happens once every 50 years. The villagers are busy eking out their livelihood and they have no money for celebrating Christmas.

At the same time, the villagers in the middle Chin state also could not celebrate Christmas with feasts and went to church and drank tea together, he added.

A local in Falam said, "It was very sad! It did not matter for adults but children were very unhappy and we could not purchase anything for them. We hard that Mualzawl village could buy 10 kgs of pork for a feast for their children."

Usually parents give some gifts to their children during Christmas, but this time parents could not give gifts to their children, said a villager of Zatawl, Falam Township.

Chin state has been facing famine from bamboo flowering from 2006. The main affected areas are Paletwa, Thantlang,Matupi,Falam and Tonzang. But there is no aid or support from the SPDC government till date. - Khonumthung News