Pu Ngulhao Thomsong
Pu Ngulhao Thomsong was born in 1891 at Henima (Huatening) village, Kumma Nagahills. His father and mother died when he was only 7(seven) years old. In 1900, he went to Kohima Mission School to continue his study. He was not a Christian as an undergraduate student. However, when he went to Jorhat for higher study he accepted Jesus as his personal saviour and was baptized on the 20th January, 1908. He became the first Christian among the KUKI’s in Manipur and Nagaland. He then started preaching the Gospel in and around Manipur and Nagaland. He founded the first Church at Sirhima village, Nagaland.
In 1915, he took the daughter of Sirhima Chief Miss Chinkhokim in Holy Matrimonial. They had three daughters and three sons. Pu Ngulhao Thomsong volunteered himself for the “Labour Corps” in France during the First World War. He had the chance to meet the British King, King George-VI. The King George gave him a blanket with the colour of a lion stipe embedded on it. In 1919, he came back to India and worked as a Head –Clerk under the British Government. He left his job after working 1 (one) year and started preaching the Gospel in the hill district of Manipur, Ukhrul and Chandel. On the 2nd June, 1921, he started working as a school teacher at Kangpokpi Mission School.
Pu Ngulhao Thomsong was a good and quick learner. He also had the gift of learning others languages easily. The languages he spoke and understood during his lifetime were:
- English
- Hindi
- Bangali
- Nepali
- Assamese
- Angami
- Rongmei
- Meitei
- Annal
Pu Ngulhao Thomsong also knew how to read and write the above languages as good as his own mother tongue. He mastered and knew more languages than his senior when he was in high school. When he was standard 8 (eight) he spoke better English and other languages than students who had a Bachalor of Art (B.A)..
In the year 1922, he started writing and publishing a book in thadou, The book he published was used as the text book of every high school in thadou medium. With the help of Pu Seikholet Singson, Pu Longkhobel Kilong, Pu Helkhup Chongloi, Pu Pakho Sitlhou and Pu Teba Kilong, they published a hymns song book in thadou. It is known as “ Pathen Laa”. Pathen means God and Laa means song. In 1924, he published the book “Question and Answer in Thadou dialect”. All the books he published were the first books written in thadou-kuki language.
In the year 1925, he started translating the Gospel John from the New Testament in thadou. Later he translated New Testament in thadou with the help of Dr. G G Crozier. He also published a new book named “Lekhabul”. This Lekhabul book is still known as NGULHAO LEKHABUL.
Pu Ngulhao Thomsong books helped our forefathers know how to read and write. They came to learn the Gospel and started reading the Bible. They started teaching others how to read and write and education spread to all the inhabited areas of the Thadou-speaking people. The impact was so great that many came to accept Jesus and became Christians. His work and his sacrifice for the betterment of his people and spreading education to every nook and corner of Manipur, Nagaland and Assam was unforgettable. He was awarded the title “THE FATHER OF THADOU-KUKI LITERATURE”.
Pu Ngulhao Thomsong served God and his people for 59 years. He died in 1945 in the Hafflong Songpijang village of Assam.
