The organisers of the 8th State-Level Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival 2026 have clarified that the upcoming event in Imphal has no connection with programmes being planned by groups operating under the name “Thadou Inpi-GHQ” in Kangpokpi district. In a press statement issued on March 10, the organising committee said the festival will be held on April 7 in Imphal under the aegis of Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM). The committee said the event is the official cultural celebration of the Thadou community and should not be confused with activities organised by what it described as “unmandated groups” using the name “Thadou Inpi-GHQ”. The organisers stated that any programmes conducted under the banner of “Thadou Inpi-GHQ” are not related to the official Hun-Thadou festival. They said the festival is organised by the recognised body of the community and is meant only for cultural celebration. According to the statement, the Hun-Thadou festival was first organised in 2016 at Ngahmun in Kangpokpi district. The event has since been observed every year to celebrate the cultural identity, traditions and heritage of the Thadou people.
However, due to the ongoing crisis in Manipur in recent years, the festival had to be organised outside the state. The sixth edition of the festival was held in New Delhi in 2024, while the seventh edition took place in Guwahati in 2025.The organisers said the eighth edition will return to Imphal this year. They described the return of the festival to the state capital as part of a “Thadou peace initiative” aimed at promoting unity within the community and strengthening cultural identity.The organising committee said the Hun-Thadou festival is a cultural event that focuses on celebrating the traditions of the Thadou people. The festival usually includes traditional songs, dances, cultural performances, and community gatherings that highlight the language, customs and heritage of the community.
The committee also stressed that the festival is purely cultural and has no political agenda. According to the organisers, the event is intended to bring people together and strengthen the sense of identity and unity among members of the Thadou community. They also appealed to members of the Thadou community living in different parts of the country and abroad to celebrate the festival wherever they are. The organisers said such celebrations would help preserve the cultural heritage of the community and strengthen grassroots unity.
