'Chumpha Phanit' celebrated with historic totem poles erection
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, November 21 2021:
Along with colourful cultural festivities, historic totem poles were erected as part of the celebration of 'Chumpha Phanit', a post-harvest festival that marks refilling of the granary, here at Nungpi Khullen village on Sunday.
Titular king and Rajya Sabha MP Leisemba Sanajaoba attended the celebration as chief guest, while former deputy speaker MK Preshow Shimray, ex-minister Dr Khashim Ruivah and ex-chairman UADC K Dickson were present as special invitees.
Scheduled to attend the celebration as guest of honour and special guest, Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum and intending BJP candidate Ningam Chamroy reportedly could not make it to the event due to certain unavoidable reasons.
Each of them, nevertheless, extended a monetary gift of Rs 50,000 each to the village.
The celebration kicked off with MP Sanajaoba unveiling the monolith of the totem poles erected at the village's public ground.
In the past, erection of totem poles signifies the position of the family in the social status or hierarchy of the household in the village, which only the village chiefs or rich households could afford.
The local village headman's wife also demonstrated how village women folks in olden days used to perform rituals for abundance while storing the grain at the granary.
"I feel privileged to be a part of this Chumpha Phanit Cum Tarung Kashun celebration today," MP Sanajaoba said, addressing the gathering of village folks.
Noting similarities between the cultures of Tangkhul and Meetei, he said that Meetei community also used to have the practice of erecting totem pole called Ukong in Manipuri, which symbolised triumph in the olden days.
"Manipur is a state with different communities having their own rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Customs and cultures are our identity.
If we lose them, we lose everything," he cautioned.
The Rajya Sabha MP then called upon the youngsters to respect and preserve the age-old customs and cultures of their forefathers.
While stating that Chumpha Phanit is thanksgiving to the Almighty for the bountiful production of crops, he wished celebration of the festival brings along with it a generosity among the people to help the less-privileged.
MP Sanajaoba also informed that construction of a guest bouse for tribal headmen and village chiefs is currently underway in Imphal and that the same is likely to be completed by 2022.Handing out an undisclosed amount of monetary gift to the village, he also assured of constructing a women market shed and a playground for the villagers.
In his speech as special guest; MK Preshow Shimray dwelt on the significance of Tarung (totem pole) in Tangkhul culture.
He said that erection of Tarung used to be a highly honoured practice symbolising the rich customs and cultures of the Tangkhul forefathers.
"It signified triumph and social standing of the households and only the rich could afford the monumental structures," he said, extolling Nungpi Khullen for continuing the rich customary practice.
Shimray continued that celebration of Chumpha Phanit also reminds the people that the Tangkhul are self-reliant through abundant production of their own crops and are known for their hospitality since their forefathers' days.
He then exhorted the youngster's to take on and continue the rich cultural legacy of the forefathers.
"Let this festival be a testimony for the youth in keeping our rich cultures alive," he said.
As part of the celebration, the villagers also showcased different cultural dances and folk songs to enthral the crowd.
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