Traditional Festivals of Manipur

The indigenous festivals in practice through ages depict the early civilization of Manipur. Manipur has a vast canvass of festivals which have cultural and religious significance. Most indigenous festivals have inseparable links with the ‘Sanamahi’ religion and it is of imperative importance that we should have thorough understanding of the underlying ideas associated with the festivals if we are to understand the festivals thoroughly. The following is a list of indigenous festivals of Manipur- Mera Houchongba, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Chingoi Iruppa, Ningol Chakouba, Thabal Chongba, Imoinu Iratpa, Ukai Kappa, Sanamahi Chenghongba, Pakhangba Chenghongba, Lai Haraoba, Kangla Ukrong Hongba, Lai Keithel Kaba, Kongba Leithong Phatpa, Singsitpa, Heikru Hidongba, Kwak Ianba, Apokpa Khurumba, etc.

Mera Houchongba:

The festival is celebrated on the 15th of 7th lunar month i,e Mera in Manipuri calender (October-November) to show ching-tam (hill-valleys solidarity). The hill people who have remained away from Kangla for certain reasons came to pay homage to the king with gifts to show this solidarity with the valley people and also to indicate they were also people of this Kingdom even if they were away from them. On this day, they came adorned with traditional dresses with sword and spear at Kangla and performed traditional dances with contest of physical strength and prowess by lifting of stones. And on the part of the king he too welcomed them heartily by serving sweets.

Sajibu Cheiraoba:

Sajibu Cheiraoba is celebrated on the first day of 1st lunar month i,e Sajibu in Manipuri calendar ( March-April) in proclaimation of New Year according to the Meitei Calendar. It was celebrated by the king of Kangla and by individuals in their households throughout the Kingdom. In ancient days, four servants of the king mounted on horsebacks held Khok (stick made from bamboo or wood) fasten with bells proclaimed loudly the beginning of a New Year in different direction of the kingdom. On this day people adorned the deities- Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi with new attires by offering flowers, vegetables and sweets to them accompanied by many ritual practices.

Chingoi Iruppa:

The festival celebrated on the 28th of 12th lunar month i,e Lamta of Manipuri calendar ( February-March) is related to the Sanamahi religion. The underlying idea behind the festival is the purge oneself by dipping into the Chingoi river and then to worship the deity Nongpok Ningthou (standing) at the top of Nongmaijing Hills. The worship of Nongpok Ningthou was practiced by the Meiteis from the early period of history but the practice of Chingoi Iruppa (dipping into the Chingoi River) came into being with Meitei King Naothingkhong paying homage to the soul of his departed wife-Consort in the river Chingoi of Shelloi, her birth place.

Ningol Chakouba:

Ningol Chakouba is celebrated on the 2nd day of 8th lunar month i,e Hiyangei in Manipuri calendar (October-November) is a calendrical festival of Manipur, in commemoration of the genuine bond of love between brother and sister especially married ones. The festival is in practice since the time of King Nongda lairen Pakhangba (33-159 AD).Laisana, royal consort of Pakhangba was invited to a feast by her brother Poireiton. With this, we have the first instance of Ningol Chakouba in Manipur. There is custom of giving present to the sister by their brother as a mark of love and sister blessing their brother in return.

Thabal Chongba:

The festival is based in Meitei cosmology and is celebrated during the month of Lamta ( February-March). With lasses and lads forming human chain and jumping in tune with the music being played.  As they jump they retorted to the hymns being sung by a well versed singer. The singer sang the ‘Ongri’ hymns in praise of Gods and Goddess. Besides ‘ongri’ Thabal Chongba was also performed in association with the festival is to ensure peace and prosperity of the society.

Imoinu Iratpa:

Imoinu Iratpa is a religious festival celebrated on the 12th of 10th lunar i,e Wakching ( December-January), with ritual prayer to the ancestral deity. Imoinu who is venerated in every household of Manipur on phunga lairu. The deity was venerated first by the Luwang dynasty, the then Khumans and subsequently by Meitei King Chalamba at Kangla. But was from the reign of King Khunjaoba (1652-1666), deity Imoinu was venerated throughout the Kingdom in every household.

Ukai Kappa:

Ukai Kappa is celebrated during the month of Phairen of Meitei Calendar ( January-February). In this festival human shapes were modeled from leaves of trees or bamboos and they were shot with arrows to portend the fate and future of the Kingdom (with a view to refrain from the ill omens). The fate and future was decided by the target hit upon by the arrows on the human models.

Pakhangba Chenghongba:

Pakhangba Chenghongba is celebrated on the 15th of the 2nd lunar month i,e in Kalen ( April-May) by the king at Kangla with rituals (and prayer) to the deity Ibudhou Pakhangba, (Imploring/praying) for healthiness and enduring of the King and for a rich yield (of grains) to ensure peace and prosperity of the kingdom Manipur is land of festivities, fun and leap throughout the year. The region and its people are busy with the cycle of festivals and the festivals of Manipur projects their cultural, social and religious aspirations which, besides removing the monotony of life and help the people lead a better and fuller life. Apart from the indigenous festivals the place also observed several festivals from the various communities some of them are:

Yaoshang Festival:

The festival is celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Lamta (February-March),  Though the festival is one of the significance festival of Hindu religion which is known as ‘Holi’ and here in Manipur too the festival is observed by the people whose religion are Hindu. Yaosang which is consider as the premier festival of Manipur and the festival is popular for Thabal Chongba-a kind of Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle.(Thabal Chongba is performed since the time immemorial but after holy festival is celebrated in the state ‘Thabal Chongba’also associated with the festival.)

Ramjan ID-The festival of Manipuri Muslims:

Ramjan Id is the most festival of the Manipuri Muslims (Meitei Pangal) in Manipur and is observed in the usual spirits of joy and festivities as in other Muslim world Ramjan is the ninth month of Hijri year since the time of prophet Mohammed. This month is spent on prayers and after the month on second day of shawwal , when the new moon is visible they break fast and this fast breaking day is called Id-Ul_Fitre. On this day, they go to the mosques to offer prayers and take delicious dishes, exchange greetings and call on the friends and relatives.

Chumpha festival:

Celebrated for seven days in the month of December, the Chumpha festival is a great festival of Tangkhul Nagas. The festival is held after harvest. The last three days are devoted to social gatherings and rejoicing. Unlike other festivals women play a special role in the festival. The concluding part of the festival ends with a provession within the village.

Kut Festival:

The festival is mainly observed in autumn for the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities of Manipur and it has been variously described at different places amongst different tribes as Chavang-Kut or Khodou etc. The festival is considered as a happy occasion for the villagers whose food stock is bountiful after a year of hard labour. And the festival is a thanks giving feasts with songs and dances in happiness and fun for all, in honour of the giver of an abundant harvest, it is observed on the first day of November every year.

Gaang-Ngai Festival:

The festival widely known for Kabui Tribes of Manipur is celebrated for five days in the month of Wakching (December-January). Gaang-Ngai is an important festival opens with the omen taking ceremony on the first day and the rest of the days are associated with common feast, dances of old men and women and of boys and girls, presentation of farewell gifts etc.

Christmas:

The festival is also observed in this small state of the North East region by the Christians of Manipur for two days on December 24 and 25. The major part of the festival are parayers, reading of Gospels, eating, singing of hymns, lectures on Christ, sports etc. And the festival is extended till January 1st on which the New Year day is also observed in some villages where inhabitants are well-off.

Heikru Hidongba:

Celebrated in the month of September, a festival of joy, with little religious significance along a 16 metre wide boat. Long narrow boats are used to accommodate a large number of rowers. Idol of Shri Bishnu is installed before the commencement of the race.

Kang Festival:

The festival is Ratha Yatra of Manipur. One of the greatest festivals of the Hindus of Manipur, the festival is celebrated for ten days (July). Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a car known as ‘Kang’ in Manipur pulled by pilgrims who vie with one another for this honour.