Lwanzaang (Kabuikhullen)|Inpui (Kabui)

Bakok Khuai Waterfall# Kabuikhullen (photographer unknown)

This location is disputed and  we are yet to conduct an independent verification

The local name of Kabuikhulen is Lwanjaang whereas the name Kabuikhullen (Kabui-Inpui, Khullen-village) was coined by a Meitei King. The king on his visit to the village erected a stone to commemorate the event which is still preserved today. There is an interesting incident attached to it narrated by elders, where the Meitei King ask only chicken intestine to be served to him but the villagers were unable to meet his demand so they made earthworm curry instead, which taste was liked by the king. The villagers also pay taxes to Meitei king like any other Inpui villages (some in the form of banana leaves, cotton, etc.

Newly settled Kabuikhullen 

The village has very limited contact with the far-off people in the past, but there seems to be interaction in the form of war known locally as inthimraan, an act of headhunting. The villagers were known to be very fierce.  Apart from its war with the neighboring villages, wars with other neighboring tribes were common and some are well recorded in folk songs. One such warfare was with Ritiang (Liangmei) village. In this war, many Kabuikhullen villagers were killed and vice versa. Here is one such rendition sung at Haochong,

 “ Ramthat hung ngo Ritiang rwan dinn ga, 

Kumaipana 'that hung naye. 

Hung karang, nang hung kasang ngaak o, 

Hung ngian mak o aniram Pantong inmwan saye’’. 

A free translation goes “Bring the body of Ritiang villagers. They are bringing the dead body. Come home early, come early and sing the song, Pantong (Haochong) village is beautiful.” 

This seems to suggest the villagers assisted each other or Haochong also fought a similar war with the same village. This can also be referring to a different village belonging to the same community.

Tabou at Tamsamon

Bridge on the way to Old Kabuikhullen via Tamsamon

Jaws of wild animals at Tamsamon

Tabou at New Kabuikhullen 

The inter-tribe rivalry and war were intense but the neighboring villages were unable to defeat Kabuikhullen in many of its attempts as the village was safely located on the mountaintop. In any narration of Naga tribe’s history, headhunting and showmanship are something which every Naga is proud of. And war or headhunting can be intra-tribal and inter-tribal but not between clans. In one of the oral accounts, one Liangmei village of Manipur seeks the assistance of Tapuan (Liangmei) village in Nagaland. So, Tapuan villagers came to assist but failed in their attempt, instead of going for the direct confrontation they killed a lady working in the jhum field and took the head as war bounty. This long-forgotten history was revived recently as Tapuan villagers failed to progress or develop. A supernatural intervention of sort, the spirit/visioners told the Tapuan Church to go to Kabuikhullen and reconcile. A reconciliation meeting was conducted not long ago. And some oral historical accounts narrated by elders from Kabuikhullen revealed that the enemies were made to rest their heads on a long log and were beheaded. Such fierce treatment made other villagers seldom go to war or attack Kabuikhullen.

You will come across this bridge between Bakuwa and New Kabuikhullen.

Places to visit at Kabuikhullen

1. Kabuikhullen Foundation stone: This stone remains in the central part of the village which is about 3 feet. The first group of settlers after finalizing to live in the present area decided to erect a stone for its commemoration.

2. Inkou rwan lan inkam riak: The Inkou (Burmese/Kuki) settled in a different part of Inpui areas after seeking permission by paying a nominal annual tax in the form of paddy and other material things. Before vacating their settlement, one stone, in particular, was inserted in a rock cliff by curbing. People believed this stone to be where wealth is hidden. Recently this stone was broken by using bombs.

3. Kadai riak: Playground used by villagers since time immemorial.

4. Liamtwang(hero) stone: There is one stone referred to as Liamtwang Lungsom (hero monolith).

5. Gate (Kapan): There are four gates-Khouriang , Kasiangmwan, Ripun kapan, Kapan thwei.

6. Village Ponds: These village ponds have their cultural and historical significance as their very existence rest on these sources. There are four ponds namely Khoriang (used to bathe newborn babies), Kapan thwei tuikhun, Kamang tuikhun, kapan tuikhun and tuiswan tuikhun.

7. Stone erected by Meitei king in commemoration of his visit to the villages.

8. The village was once covered with stone tablets used as a memorial for the deceased and for other purposes and according to the villager these stones were kept on both sides of the main road which divides the village into two. But only a few exist today.

9. Tuilut waterfall: Around 10-15 feet approximately located in about 4 Km from New Kabuikhullen. 

10. Local Deities: Horiangnu inmi, riskwa nu in.

11. Inkou inphung: This refers to a deserted village settlement by Inkou (Burmese). Due to such ancient settlement, the Kukis claim that the whole of Inpui area is their territory.

12. Uichok lung kwa: There seems to exist some mystical place in the village where people collect inks to draw on the carved wooden panel of Takaan House. This process of collection was only undertaken by the brave who have collected most heads. Uichok lungkwa is one of them.

13. Katang Rangaak Badung riak: This is a secluded place referred to as lover's corner with stone slabs for sitting.

14. Church Monuments: a) Passover Stone (22 Feb. 1989)

b) Golden Jubilee Stone (8-10 January 2010)

15. Bakok Khuai Waterfall is probably the highest waterfall and least heard waterfall in Inpui region. 

This information is inclusive of Old Kabuikhullen (abandoned), Tamsamon, and New  Kabuikhullen.  Trekking to the old village and particularly to Bakok Khuai waterfall this season will be perfect.

If you are yet to see Mithun/Gayal (Bos Frontalis) in its natural habitat Kabuikhullen is the village you should head to. The rivers that one can visit while you are in Kabuikhullen are Manukwa, Tuilang, Hungkwa, Lingkwa, etc. 

YGO Venue at New Kabuikhullen 

This article was written before the Youth Gospel Olympics, 2019