Celebration Of Sajibu Cheiraoba In Raj Bhavan, Bangalore 2014

Dr. Moirangthem Jiban Singh *

Even if we Manipuri Meitei put up in any corner of the world our costume, tradition and custom will always remain the same embedding to ourselves. "Kajenglei, Centre For Manipur Arts And Culture, Bangalore" has celebrated "Sajibu Cheiraoba (Ugadi) with "Dr. H. R. Bhardwaj, H. E., the governor of Karnataka" on Sunday, the 30th March, 2013 sponsored by Doordarshan Kendra-Bangalore, Raj Bhavan-Bangalore, All India Radio, State Bank of India and Vijayavani Kannadigara Dhawani.

Most of the people in this world reminisce this special Manipuri Culture and Festival on this day.

Figure 1: Thougal Jagoi : Sajibu Cheiraoba In Raj Bhavan, Bangalore 2014

As a Manipuri we are always being an ideal for others. In fact, "Manipur" is the only state in the north east of India which stands out with its enormous culture, custom, tradition, language and script and way of living. It is a place of unity, which has attires for every type of events and gatherings i.e. different attires for married and unmarried women, for newly born babies, for naming ceremony, for feeding babies for the first time, for marriage and for sorat and different attires to stay at home and go outside and many more. We can easily guess where the person is visiting through his or her attire. This is the one and only custom in the world which Manipuri has.

"Sajibu Cheiraoba" is an important traditional ethics festival of the 'Meitei's' held in every house on the first day of Sajibu month every year.

Sajibu and Cheiraoba are two different words implying two different meanings, 'Sajibu' indicating the first out of twelve months (Sajibu, Kalen, Inga, Ingen, Thawan, Langban, Mere, Hiyang-gei, Poinu, Wakching, Fairen & Lamta) and 'Cheiraoba' indicating the end of the year and the beginning of a new year according to Meitei calendar.

The ceremonial part starts early in the morning. The women in every house prepare 'Athelpot' which contains fine rice, raw vegetables of different kinds, fruits and flowers of the new season. Athelpot is meant to offer to 'Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Eema Sidabi'.

Prayers are made by all the members of the family. After the foodstuffs such as, rice and vegetables etc are offered; it will be cooked and made into varieties of dishes.

Figure 2: Thabal Chongba : Sajibu Cheiraoba In Raj Bhavan, Bangalore 2014

Then the cooked food will be placed on a neat banana leaf and offered it to 'Emoinu Eema' at first then the same food will also be offered at the gate of the house for the God known as Lamaba, Tumaba, Lamsenba, Tusenba, Hanba Kokchao and Hanba Leikham and pray to not agitate us in our happiness throughout the year.

When the evening approaches male and female; young and old; and children put on fine dress and climb up the 'Cheiraoba Ching', where they worship the local gods and goddesses.

To celebrate the festival further, married women go to their parents in the evening and offer new clothes to their parents, brothers and sisters and seek for their blessings. Thus they revere their elders with love and respect. This is a social event with a motive of love and unity. But just a feast is not the end of this special social festival. It is a day to meet with all the family members with emotion once in a year.

In the late evening, at the time of dusk, the 'Maibi' propitiate the evil spirits called 'Saroi'. They were the most feared evil spirits among the Meitei's. To appease or placate them, some share of food which comprises rice, vegetables, fruits, coin, etc, are offered at the outskirts of the capital and they are begged not to give any harm and destruction with due rites. The ritual is known as 'Saroi Khangba', i.e, to give the share of the 'Sarois'.

Figure 3: Thougal Jagoi and Thabal Chongba : Sajibu Cheiraoba In Raj Bhavan, Bangalore 2014

Sometimes the lads and maidens, in the moon light, enjoy a kind of cultural dance (Thabal Chongba) on this day. As a part of celebrating this festival the "Kajenglei, Centre For Manipur Arts And Culture, Bangalore has presented "Thougal Jagoi and Thabal Chongba" choreographer by Angabala Irengbam in Raj Bhavan, Bangalore.

References:

o Kajenglei-
o Sajibu Cheiraoba (New Year of Manipuri) - Sajibu (name of the first month in Manipur) & Cheiraoba (Chahi Laoba; Chahi-Year, Laoba-Announce)
o Sorat-(Sharada-a social rite which is performed after 14 days when a person dies in Manipur)
o Sajibu, Kalen, Inga, Ingen, Thawan, Langban, Mere, Hiyang-Gei, Poinu, Wakching, Fairen & Lamta- name of all 12 months in Manipur.
o Athelpot- fine rice, raw vegetables of different kinds, fruits and flowers
o Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Eema Sidabi - Manipuri Supreme God and Goddess
o Lamaba, Tumaba, Lamsenba, Tusenba, Hanba Kokchao and Hanba Leikham - name of the God in Manipur
o Maibi- Priestess
o Sarois- Goblins
o Thougal Jagoi- A Manipuri dance
o Thabal Chongba- A Manipuri dance