Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 03:
After Tupul Bazar and Kalinamai, Meitei ningols (daughters) presented Shajibu Khudol (New Year gift) to Tangkhul menfolk of Hunpung (Hundung) and Veikhang areas under the programme entitled, Shajibu Khudol Tamba, Egee Khongul Leeba organised by All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation (AMESCO).
The programmes were conducted at Hunpung (Hundung) and Khangkhui Khunou of Ukhrul district on April 30 and May 1 respectively.
Speaking on the occassion attended by village headman and villagers, AMESCO general secretary S Nando said, as Meiteis are the descendants of the hill people who were once known as hao, their daughters and sisters come here (hill areas) to present shajibu khudol in connection with Shajibu Cheiraoba festival.
Conveying that Chathuini festival of Mao ethnic tribe celebrated during the Meitei lunar month of waakching (January) is much similar with Cheiraoba of Meiteis, Nando asserted that there are also similar festivals celebrated by different tribes of Manipur indicating the mongoloid people of Manipur are the decendants of the same forefathers.
Nando added, that is why Meitei ningols came here (Hundung and Khangkhui) to present Shajibu khudol to their Tangkhul brothers and fathers like they do in the valley.
He also insisted the gathering not to accept the shajibu khudol as just a gift presented in connection with a Meitei festival but as an occassion to remind the past relations between the two communities.
Maintaining that Lai Haraoba festival of Meiteis will be always incomplete without the characters of Tangkhul and Nurabee, Nando asserted that it indicates the close relation that existed in the past between Tangkhuls and Meiteis.
He also appealed the gathering to co-operate with AMESCO in bringing unity in the State.
Speaking at the occassion, AMESCO vice president, IB Luwang narrated the story of the past that during pre-historic time, out of three brothers, two of them came from the area presently known as Senapati to Hundung to settle down.
After some time, the younger brother ventured towards the valley leaving his brother at Hundung and became Meitei.
Echoing the same view, a village elder from Khangkhui, AS Simrei said that the brother resided at hill signalled his younger brother at valley that he was alright by making a fire on the hill top, while the younger brother hoisted a pole with a fire on the top.
From that time, Mera Wayungba is being observed by the Meiteis, he added.