Understand origin of culture for peace and integrity: Asui Muivah
Source: Hueiyen News Service / K Kopham Kanshouwa

Imphal, November 22 2015: "If we understand the origin of our culture and tradition, there will be peace and integrity in the State" said Asui Muivah, Chairman Somdal village.

He was speaking at the one-day Tribal Cultural Festival held at Somdal Village on Saturday.

The festival was organised by Somdal Shanao Long (SSL) sponsored by Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Government of Manipur.

Asui expressed his gratitude to TRI for organizing such a festival in a remote area of the State to protect the culture and traditions of the indigenous tribes in the State.

He called on the people to understand the origin of their cultures so as to bring peace and integrity in the State.

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Somdal Village Headman Rvs Phungnang on the occasion stated that the tribes in the State have been celebrating varied cultural festivals since time immemorial.

He however expressed pointed out that there had been a lull in these celebrations in the recent past.

Phungnang lauded TRI for initiating the move to revive the vivacity associated with tribal cultural traditions in the State.

Wotrei, a cultural event of Tangkhuls was held at the one-day Tribal Cultural Festival.

The event has been traditionally observed as a challenge to all men and women of the village to carry the heaviest load of paddy home from the field after the harvest.

In the olden days, people worked in groups.

Whatever the villagers harvested on the day, they had to carry home.

After packing the harvest, the heaviest load had to be packed in traditional shawls with straw-ropes.

The load was brought home on the volunteers' back.

Village damsels during the occasion carried rice beer in baskets and the volunteers were offered the drinks whenever they desired.

The load is carried home by the physically fit men and emptied into the barn at the home of the owner.

Since the traditional practice is on the wane, the villagers feel there was a need to revive such a tradition so as to preserve the collective culture associated with the post harvest event.

As part of the current festival organised by TRI, various stalls also showcased indigenous food items and traditional attires.

The event also saw reliving of indigenous game like Saotheila; Kharu Khnagakhun; Horkhaila Harui Kaoku; Nanaoda alewju makhu, Phalu and Kantapai.