The 62nd Chin National Day Celebration in Malaysia

VOCR

20th Feb, 2010

Kuala Lumpur

 

Chin traditional wrestling is launched in advance of our national day in 19^th of Feb, 2010 in Chinese Assembly Hall in Malaysia. Over dozen of hundreds of Chins are attended in that advanced celebration amidst the fear of police arrest. It is mainly chaired by HPH (Hakha Peng Hawikomhnak) and the event is accompanied by volunteered singers from Hakha community. Truth, it is the first and ever event done in Malaysia within nearly a decade. Cheerfully welcome and applause from the fun are permeated throughout the hall at the same time.

In part of wrestling game, only group of eight mostly from Hakha; such as

1. Hakha Khuahlun
2. Hakha Khuathar
3. Hniarlawn
4. Hakha Cawbuk
5. MI-E
6. Zo Khua Peng
7. Bungtuah.
8. Chuncung

The 62nd Chin National Day wrestling competition trophies

According to HPH chairman, game were divided into group versus group and challenge game. In group versus group competition, the first 64 wrestlers were competed and each match is limited for 10 minutes only for many are waited ahead. In this group versus group challenged competition, Hakha Old Town achieved first prize and second prize was won by MI-E team.

Around 70 wrestlers were about to be participated in this challenged game that 8 wrestlers could only participate in group versus group that two from each group can specially represent their groups in the challenged competition which is very similar to the knock-out style and two of the best play the final game and the winner will be crowned the trophy.

Shortly, after group versus group game is over, the crucial open challenge matches are started at 5:00 PM and two best wrestlers from each team competed. In the challenge match, the best wrestler ever in Chin state Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn and Salai Tin Lian Thawng from Hakha Old Town team were participated. After all the best wrestlers on this day clashed, the two well-known Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn and Salai Tin Lian Thawng encountered in final match. As the funs were anticipated to watch the duo match, sound of applauding, shouting with their name and roaring is swirling throughout the hall.

The best two wrestlers tackling in final match

Just before the final match started, a young Lai singer Miss Emily performed on the stage the Lai native love song to inspire the fun and to refresh all wrestlers.

At around 7:30 pm, the hall was overwhelmed with applauds and shouts as the final match started. Two of the best and strongest wrestlers from Hakha Old Town team, Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn and Salai Tin Lian Thawng against with their best to win the trophy. The audiences were satisfied to watch and see the exciting as the two wrestlers have equal skill. After many rounds drew, a Chin wrestling competition at Chin State in 2007 champion Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn conquers his arch rival Salai Tin Lian Thawng and wins the champion trophy.

2010 Champion of wrestling competition in Malaysia Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn (center) taking a photo with his friends

In playing our owned traditional wrestling game, skills as well as strength are mostly needed as it is definitely different from the Wrestling that the world knows. As a matter of fact, it is meant for maintaining our only culture, especially for diasporas, having been failed to do it for years in Chin community in Malaysia as we, Chins are clear in the common mindset that we have such a very peculiar tradition which is worthwhile fostering.

In order to happen this event which is aimed at making the world known that we are of a People with colorful cultures and traditions owned, financial effort for renting hall and stage building is made by groups participated and solely by HPH. Honestly and deep, it is a tough task to be done as for communities with refugee-status for the event but it is a sweating endeavor by no means. Partly, tickets for entry are sold out on first-come first-serve basis that helps solve financial shortcut. The total expense is estimated nearly about Rm10, 000 but the income is not calculated yet.

Vision Statement for the Event

First and foremost, we can see there a meaning and purpose in every planned thing as history exists. Small though it is, maintaining the culture is, as mostly important for all times, a key role in which we intentionally plan this event on as the following;

1. bolstering and nurturing the motherland owned-culture
2. uplifting nationalism by upkeeping this specified tradition
3. preserving it every year continuously, esp, for those of living in Malaysia.

Thus, the common purpose for which we are fighting for will be partly impacted by holding this kind of priceless event up as it is believed that it can help the harmony and unity more be visibly seen in each of our community.

By Salai C C, Simon, Patrick