Sikpui Ruoi
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 12 2013:
Hmar community of Imphal celebrated Sikpui Ruoi, a festival to mark a year of abundant harvest, today with much fanfare at Tribal Research Institute's auditorium, Chingmeirong.
Upa LT Mawia graced the occasion as Sikpui Pa.
Variety of programme ranging from paying homage to deceased community members, presentation of songs, dances etc marked the celebration.
Speaking at the function, Upa LT Mawia, Sikpui Pa exhorted the members to work hard and be sincere in their chosen fields so as to make abundant harvest at the end of the day.
Upa Laldawnlien Varte, organising secretary of the event and president of HYA Jt Hqtrs Imphal said Sikpui Ruoi literally means Winter Festival.
Though there is no particular date for celebrating this festival, it is celebrated on any convenient days during the winter in December and January.
The festival is celebrated to mark the year when members received abundant harvest and peace prevailed in the community, Upa L Varte said.
In congruence with the tradition, this year's Sikpui Ruoi was significant for the Hmar tribe in Imphal as the HYA recently procured an Ambulance at the cost of over Rs 7 lakh and one of its member, Varthlirsang Varte was promoted to Secretary, Govt of Manipur besides many other achievements.
Dr John H Pulamte, President of Hmar Inpui also attended the function as a distinguished guest.
Apostis, a musical band and artists from the Hmar Artists' Association�Lalsanglien Joute, Remruotkim and Jenet Varte enthralled the gathered crowd.
The day-long celebration programme culminated with a grand feast.