Maring's Lamlai festival underway in many villages
Source: Hueiyen News Service / K Kopham Kanshouwa
Imphal, October 21 2015:
Lamlai, the pre-harvest festival of the Maring tribe in Manipur has been observed by many villages across Maring inhabited areas.
The three-day long festival is celebrated based on traditional schedule set by culture committees of respective villages within the month of Mera (October-November) .
Like the rest of other Maring community members, the villagers of Khudei Khunou in Chandel District observed the last day of the festival on Wednesday with festive gaiety.
The festival was organised by Cultural Committee, Khudei Khunou and it commenced on October 19 .
Cultural Committee Chairman Keishang Mophom said that Lamlai festival is the annual cultural festival of Maring tribe which is celebrated between October and November every year before full moon which marks the onset of autumn.
|
During the festival, villagers invoke God's blessings for a bountiful harvest.
The festival is observed in three parts.
The first day marks the "Lamdou Shim" dealing with the maintenance of a clean and healthy environment.
The second day is called "Yuilam Waa" based on the tradition of clearing all water sources for livelihood.
The third day is marked by "Lamtang Yu" related to repair and maintenance of all communication routes leading to the village.
Maring elders said that the three-day observance of the festival has been made relevant as all the three days with specified functions are essential component of establishing any village in the past.
Mophom said that during the festival, the people clean up village water reservoirs, inter-village roads and entire village boundary to protect the people from the rages of forest fire.
On the last day of the festival, the people wear colourful traditional attires and partake in cultural dances and folk songs.
The songs and music are performed using only traditional musical instruments.
The villagers enjoy sumptuous meals with meat and also take symbolic local liquor.
Mophom however lamented that community participation in the festival has declined over the years after most of the people adopted Christianity.
However, in recent years, many villagers have started participating in the festival.
Meanwhile, Dr K Benedict, a prominent villager expressed his gratitude to the organizers for successfully observing the festival.
He appealed the Cultural Committee to continue the tradition every year in future.
Benedict further appealed the people not to "create confusion between religion and culture." He said that religion and culture of a society are like "father and mother" which bring unity to the villagers.