Virgin dance catches revellers' eyes at Hunphun Luira Phanit
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, February 18 2020:
With much glee and joy, a bevy of Tangkhul damsels, dressed in the best of their traditional attires and fineries, stole the limelight of the grand finale of Laa Khanganui/virgin dance competition during the Hunphun Luira Phanit at Mission Ground, Alungtang.
Revellers could not ask for more, as the Hunphun lasses from five localities of Ukhrul town, draped in colourful attires and embellishment, sang and swayed to the tune of the folk song.
Meant for young maidens draped in traditional Kongsang (women wear) only, the Laa Khanganui or the virgin dance is an important traditional dance form of the Tangkhul community that testifies the sanctity of a woman.
In olden days, it also served as a great opportunity for village bachelors to mingle with the damsels and make marriage proposal to the ones they like.
Earlier, Laa Khanganui was organised as a beauty pageant for girls.
Luira Phanit is a seed sowing festival.