Khongkap-Nunglui begins with festive gaiety
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 21 2015 : The quinquennial festival of Khongkap-Nunglui of Maring tribe began with much fanfare at Sandang Senba Maring village in Imphal East on Tuesday.

Khongkap-Nunglui, a time honoured archery festival, was formally opened by shooting an arrow by the Khulpuwa, Khulpu KT Khamba.

As per customary practice, the Khulakpa (village chief), DK Angkhul Sangshawa drew his bow and shot the next arrow.

This was followed by villagers shooting hundreds of arrows.

During the opening ceremony of the two-day long celebration, groups of young Maring girls and boys in traditional dresses performed colourful traditional songs and dances at the "Pakhang Phan", a traditional dormitory system (Morung) for the boys which also served as the institution of learning.

The songs and dances are also performed at every houses in the village.

"Every Maring village celebrates the festival of Khongkap-Nunglui every five years, KS Angdung, a researcher, told Hueiyen Lanpao at the venue of the event.

He said the festival is traditionally held on the third day of Kalen month of Meitei calendar.

Oral tradition has it that this festival was started by a legendary Maring boy named Angte, KS Angdun explained.

A beautiful painting of a mythical animal called "Sobeya" is also displayed during the festival.

According to a Maring myth, Sobeya was a giant animal which mauled and devoured many humans.

It was attacked with a spike by a member of the Khulpu caln, but it did not die.

Sobeya was later killed by Dangshawa family with a spear, informed Maring sources.

Khulpu clan was given the right to open the Khongkap-Nunglui festival based on Maring legends.

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