PREPAK greets all on Cheiraoba
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 30 2014: Saying that Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba is one of the most important, inalienable festivals which identifies the nationality of Kangleipak, the proscribed PREPAK has greeted all the people of Kangleipak as well as Manipuri people settled outside Kangleipak.

Cheiraoba is a cultural festival which provides a foundation for national self determination of Kangleipak which once constituted a key composition of the Western South East Asian civilization, said a press release issued by the outfit's assistant secretary, publicity and propaganda Leibakngakpa Luwang.

Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba has a very clear genesis.

It was introduced during the reign of king Leinung Lonja Pakhangba and it continues till today.

Though there were some minor changes in the mode of its celebration, its basic rituals, essence and character remain unchanged.

Since the ancient period, kings of Kangleipak performed Cheiraoba rituals at Koubru hills.

People gathered at the ritual performance of Cheiraoba at Koubru was so huge that it looked like a Keithel (market).

Thus the place was called Keithelmanbi.

With the increased pace of Sanskritization, Cheiraoba lost its eminence and it was put on the throes of death.

The process of Sanskritization reached its climate during the reign of king Bhagyachandra (1763-1798).It was during this period that the indigenous method of counting years was replaced by exogenous ones.

This event opened a new chapter of a totally different socio-economic and political ideals.

Majority of the population were drawn within the current of Sanskritization at the behest of kings and the onus of protecting and preserving indigenous culture and traditions fell on a small minority.

Because of their selfless struggle to preserve and protect indigenous culture and traditions, what were preserved by the small minority have become invaluable heritage of the whole Nation.

Even though the majority has been drifting in the popular trend wittingly or unwittingly, the minority is compelled to march on the path of protecting and preserving the indigenous culture with a firm conviction that all would support their cause once day.

To save the indigenous identity and put all the indigenous communities on a trajectory of collective development, it's time to pay special attention towards indigenous culture and traditions.

In addition to waging to waging a war of liberation, it's time to launch a strong revivalist movement in order to revive indigenous culture and traditions which identify the nation, the outfit asserted.

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