Lamjir fest of Aimol celebrated
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Gyanand Naorem
Kakching, October 30 2011:
Regarded as the biggest and most important festival of Aimol community setting in Manipur, Lamjir festival was celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety at Aimol Ngairong village under Chandel district on Oct 28.The celebration was held under the aegis of Aimol Ngairong Village Authority.
On the significance of the festival, Secretary of Ngairong Village Authority Rehneisan explained that Lamjir, which literally means 'road repairing', is an important cultural festival of the Aimols being celebrated since ancient time.
The festival relates to repairing of road by the Aimol youths just before harvesting crops.
On the nature of celebrating the festival, Rehneisan further explained that on the day of celebration, all the youths gathered at the house of the village chief, who selects two of the strongest young men as 'Veibak' to carry large container of Waiyu (local wine) and lead the rest of the youths in carrying out the road repairing work while singing 'Tuk Ajinga Kachuanne, Kachonkhara Pangleitnne', a folksong to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments like 'Khuang', 'Sum' and 'Dar'.
After the work has been done, a large Mithun is sacrificed and everyone partake feasting and dancing.
After embracing Christianity, drinking of Waiyu is being done only in name sake.
But the cultural elements of the festival are being observed judiciously, the Secretary added.