Imphal May 14: After a two-year pause due to ethnic unrest in Manipur that erupted on May 3, 2023, the vibrant Shirui Festival, often called Siri Lily Festival is set to make a return to Manipur’s Ukhrul district from May 20 to 24, 2025.
This year’s 5th State-Level Shirui Festival (Siri Lily Festival) holds significance as it marks the 75th anniversary of the discovery of the Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), a rare and delicate flower that symbolizes Manipur’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage (source: E-pao.net).
However, the festival’s celebratory spirit is tempered by simmering ethnic tensions, as the Kuki-Zo community has issued a directive barring Meitei participation.
Shirui Lily Festival: Celebration of Lilium Mackliniae
The Shirui Festival, held in the picturesque Shirui Hills of Ukhrul, is a vibrant showcase of Tangkhul Naga culture, featuring traditional music, dance, indigenous sports, and local cuisine.
At its heart is the Shirui Lily, a flower discovered in 1946 by British botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward during an expedition to the region.
Named after his wife, Jean Macklin, the Lilium mackliniae is endemic to Manipur, thriving exclusively at elevations of 1,730 to 2,590 meters in the Shirui hill ranges.
Its bell-shaped, pale pinkish-white petals and fragile beauty have captivated botanists and nature enthusiasts worldwide.
The flower’s global recognition came in 1948 when it won the prestigious Merit Prize at the Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show in London, cementing its status as a botanical treasure.
At present, the Shirui Lily is not only a symbol of Manipur’s natural splendor but also a source of pride for the Tangkhul Naga community, who organize the festival to celebrate their heritage, promote sustainable environment and eco-tourism.
This year’s festival, commemorating 75 years since the lily’s discovery, is expected to draw thousands of visitors to Ukhrul. Organizers have planned an array of events, including floral exhibitions, cultural performances, and workshops on sustainable conservation of the Shirui Lily, which faces threats from climate change and habitat degradation.
The Festival adds a layer of historical resonance, with Tangkhul community members emphasizing the need to preserve the flower’s legacy for future generations.
Ethnic Tensions Overshadow Festivities
While the Shirui Festival has historically been a platform for unity, fostering collaboration among Manipur’s diverse communities, the 2025 edition unfolds against a backdrop of unresolved ethnic strife.
In a social media post, Manipur Times uploaded a press communique of Kuki-Zo Village Volunteer – Eastern Zone (KZV-EZ).
On May 11, 2025, the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteer – Eastern Zone (KZV-EZ), based in Solam Munpi, Kangpokpi Gamkai, issued a press communiqué relating to the celebration of Siri Lily Festival (Shirui Lily Festival) which has sparked concern.
“No Meitei are allowed to go for Siroi Lilly Festival” KZVV-EZ@manipur_police @RajBhavManipur @official_dgar @BJP4Manipur @INCManipur pic.twitter.com/ZTkaZBz3eN
— Manipur Times (@ManipurTimes) May 14, 2025
The statement, shared on social media by Manipur Times, extends goodwill to the Tangkhul community for the festival’s success but firmly prohibits Meitei individuals from attending, citing deep-seated grievances from the 2023 ethnic violence.
The violence, which began on May 3, 2023, was triggered by a controversial proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, a move opposed by hill-based tribal groups like the Kuki-Zo and Nagas. These groups feared that the decision would erode their constitutional protections and land rights.
The ensuing clashes resulted in widespread destruction, including the burning of homes, churches, and villages, as well as significant loss of life and displacement.
The Kuki-Zo community, in particular, alleges that they faced targeted atrocities, leaving scars that remain unhealed.
In their communiqué, the KZV-EZ referred to the ethnic conflict and the issue for a separate administrative arrangement as a “durable solution” to the conflict.
They emphasized their commitment to respecting territorial boundaries and urged the Tangkhul community to acknowledge the “critical time in our collective history.” Also, the organisation urged the Meitei people to honour the territorial boundaries in the State.
The directive warns that any Meitei attempting to enter Kuki-Zo territories, including for the Shirui Festival, will face consequences, with violators bearing full responsibility.
The press communique read, “(the Kuki-Zo body) wholeheartedly encourage all Tangkhul brothers and sisters, along with their wider Naga brethren across the state, to participate in the festivities with full spirit and enthusiasm, offering support and assistance despite any difficulties that may arise during the journey”.
Referring to the ethnic violence, the Press Communique stated, “However, the Kuki-Zo community continues to carry the profound pain and trauma of the tragic events that unfolded beginning May 3, 2023—marked by grave acts of violence, atrocities, the destruction of homes and properties, and the burning of churches and villages in the Imphal Valley, perpetrated by elements within the Meitei community”.
“In light of these unresolved grievances, and until justice is duly served and a durable solution is realized through the establishment of a separate administrative arrangement, the Kuki-Zo people must resolutely prohibit any individual from the Meitei community from entering or accessing their villages or territories, including for the purposes of attending the Siri Lily Festival”, the statement mentioned.
It also warned against ignoring the directive saying, “any violation of this directive will be considered intentional, with individuals bearing full responsibility for any consequences that may follow”.
A Delicate Balance for the Tangkhul Naga Community
Local sources said, the Tangkhul Naga community have historically welcomed participants from across Manipur’s ethnic mosaic, including the Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and other Naga tribes.
However, the KZV-EZ’s directive places them in a challenging position, as they strive to honor their cultural traditions while respecting the sensitivities of their Kuki-Zo neighbors.
The Manipur state government, which co-sponsors the festival, has yet to issue an official response to the KZV-EZ’s statement as preparations for the festival are going on full scale.
