Mates celebrate Chang-Kut with gaiety
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, October 19 2013 :
The post-harvest festival of Mate tribe, "Chang-Kut" was celebrated at Tengnoupal village in Chandel district along with invoking the blessing of the almighty god today.
Tengnoupal village in Chandel district is said to be one of the oldest villages mostly inhabited by the Mates.
The celebration of Chang-Kut festival every year is said to have been started under the initiative of one Houlim Loikhom Mate and his villagers when he had migrated from Loutei village of Ukhrul district.
This year's celebration was declared open along with benediction by Pastor Th.Chongloi of Tengnoupal.
Gojendro, SDO of Tengnoupal; Ingocha, SDC of Tengnoupal; Yullli Anal, AC Chandel; Thongkhohou Mate, President of Mate Tribe Union; Barun, Adjutant 24 AR and Dharmendra, RMO 24 AR were among the special guests who attended the celebration held in two sessions.
The noon session showcased cultural programmes and activities while the night session was all about entertainment like contest of Miss, Mr and Mrs Chang-Kut.
According to Mate tradition, Chang-Kut is celebrated for two days in the past with the village priests chanting the rituals and declaring the village as clean from customary laws and taboos.
Women collected the best food grains for brewing rice wine.
The Mates believe that the festival marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new year.