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Yaosang
Yaosang, the
Holi festival is celebrated on the full moon of Lamda
(Feb/March). It lasts for six days. One and all in the valley celebrate it . The
young boys and girls take active part in this festival. The bamboo huts, 'Yaosangs',
are constructed on the roadside. An idol of Chaitanya is placed in the hut
by a Brahmin. Puja is offered to the idol. Kirtans and recitations from the holy
books are chanted. The idol is removed from the hut and the hut is set on fire.
The shouts of 'Hari-Bola' and 'He Hari' are exchanged while the hut is burning.
The burnt embers are considered to be very auspicious. Therefore, the ash is
collected and used to mark the foreheads of the worshippers and the entrance of
the houses. The same thing is performed in the Mandapas of some temples. The
entire valley reflects a festive look during the days of Holi. The real festive
show of Holi is celebrated in Govindajee temple. In the Mandapa portion of the
temple there are two wells which are kept covered with wooden planks on other
days. During the days of Holi these wells are filled with water and the colour
powder is mixed, then it is sprayed in playing Holi. Men and women visit the
temple Mandapa and play Holi. The music is also played. Songs are sung in praise
of Lord Krishna.
Cheiraoba
Cheiraoba is the
new year festival
of Manipur. It is celebrated on the
first day of the month Sajibu (March). The festival is also related with the
Chahitaba. The domestic deity, Sanamahi, is worshipped in each house. An annual
festival is also arranged in the temple of Sanamahi. People wear new clothes and
buy new utensils. On this day the 'Chahitaba' is also selected. The chahitaba is
the man who gives his name to the year, who bears all the sins of the people for
the year of the whole luck, good or ill, influences the lick of the whole
community. Chahitaba is nominated by Maibas after comparing the horoscope. Many
people on this day also climb the hill called 'Cheiraching' where there is a
small Siva shrine. The hill is near Imphal town.
TRIBAL
FESTIVALS
The tribals have different festivals.
'Enghah' is celebrated during
December. It continues for five days. The tribals enjoy with dance and drinks. Reenanai is celebrated during January. This continues for three days.
The peculiarity of this festival is that men and women cook separately. The
husband will not take the meal cooked by his wife. He will bring water himself
and cook the rice, pig and other things himself and invite his friends for the
feast. In February they celebrate a festival in which the newly born child's ears
are pierced. The festival 'Oodooeeyung' is celebrated for cutting the
jungles for cultivation. It is celebrated towards March when the field is to be
made ready for the next crop. Juice of ginger is taken on this day. The Kukis celebrate the spring festival called
Taptaal Kuut or Chapthar
Kuut. It is celebrated during Dec-Feb. It takes place once a year and is
celebrated with great pomp and show. Pigs, hens, goats etc are contributed and a
community feast is arranged. Some games are also arranged. Mimkunt is celebrated after removing all the crops from fields. It is
generally celebrated in Aug/Sep. The festival is celebrated in commemoration of
those who are dead. A feast is arranged in their honour. Pawl Khut is the harvest festival and is celebrated when the entire
village is free from the field work. The villagers select a place and all
contribute rice, pig, hen, egg and rice beer and a community feast is thus
arranged. All eat, drink and dance together. These festivals are held at intervals during the year when people are in need
of amusement. The central theme of these festivals is to create unity among the
tribals. The tribals should retain these festivals as these are the cultural
landmarks.
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