At the Peace Connect 2025 conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, the rhythmic strains of the Manipuri Pena captivated hundreds of global peacebuilders, turning the indigenous instrument into a voice of resilience from conflict-torn Manipur.
Over five hundred local peacebuilders from some of the most conflict-affected regions gathered at the Safari Park Hotel from October 13 to 17 for the global meet aimed at healing, sharing, and strengthening grassroots peace initiatives.
Representing the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, Dona Ngairangbam, widely known as Pena Dona, demonstrated how the traditional Pena serves as a medium of storytelling and trauma healing for displaced children in Manipur.
Babloo Loitongbam of Human Rights Alert also joined the Global Peacebuilders’ Network delegation, where he spoke on shrinking civil spaces and the neglect of crises like those in Myanmar and Manipur.
The week-long gathering concluded with a stirring intercontinental fusion performance blending the Pena with Sudanese traditional music, symbolizing unity and the universal pursuit of peace.
