'Yarra' youth festival begins at Hungpung's Rashon
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, May 04 2022:
At a time when the values of age-old traditional customs and practices are fast tapering off among the younger generation, youth of Rashon locality in Kazipphung of Hungpung village brought alive the traditional youth festival 'Yana' to its past glory.
Rashon Youth Organisation (RYO) is organising the festival under theme 'Ngashan Phakhari Hi Mashunna' (Preserving Custom Is Right) from May 4 to 6.'Phanit' chairman YS Ninglum Khapai said that Yarra is an ancient youth festival celebrated by their ancestors during their youthful days in the past, prior to commencement of annual cultivation or agricultural activities.
"Our prime motivation for organising this festival is to strengthen and keep it alive for the present and upcoming generations, " he said.
General secretary of Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR/GPRN) Marshal Ruivah attended the inaugural ceremony of the three-day long festival as chief guest.
"It's a privilege for me today to witness the celebration of Yarra.
It's really heartening to see this age-old custom still followed and honoured by big villages like Hungpung," said Ruivah in his speech.
He observed that in many smaller villages in Ukhrul district, the celebration of this age-old festival is rarely seen nowadays.
"In this fast changing age, many youngsters are unable to realise the benefits of following customs and traditions.
But I have closely observed that such cultural events are very significant and it's only through such festivals, our youngsters could realise the importance of preserving our rich cultural heritage," Ruivah said.
Bringing out the little-known facts about the locality, Rashon Lasak Long (RLL), an elderly group of folk singers, presented a folk song that reminisced the past glory of Rashon tang as a rich, vibrant village in the days of yore.
The elderly attendees also showered the local youth with words of blessing and invocation.
Lower Hungpung Public Organisation (LHPO) vice-chairman KVS Rocky exhorted the local youth to keep up their concerted efforts in promoting and reliving the age-old customs.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed cultural songs performed by Rashon youth.
As part of the festival, various youthful activities including singing, merry-making and sporting events will be taken up in the following days.