Ningol Chakouba Festival : Giving respect to Girls and Women

Dr. Moirangthem Jiban Singh *

Ningol Chakouba celebration at Bangalore, Karnataka on November 9 2014

"STOP! SEX ABUSE" NINGOL CHAKOUBA FESTIVAL IS THE SYMBOL OF AGAINST THE MISTREATING OF LADIES. GIVING RESPECT TO THE GIRL'S AND AWOMEN'S IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE SOCIETY

Forget the almighty; we don't even remember our nearest ones in our pleasant days. The underlying reason behind this fact is that human being wants to live in happy tune always. But from a slight slip of foot to unsolvable misery we just cry out aloud "OH! EEMA (Mother in Manipuri)". Why do we utter "EEMA" just when we are in trouble?

According to its ethics, it can be said that we do so for the want of all troubles being solved by her. Of course this shout doesn't solve it, but it seems to gives strength to bear it. It seems at least a bit has been solved. Mother may bear bad child, but to children there is no bad "EEMA". Today, the story that I am going to write is the story of anybody's "EEMA MANIPUR".

It is the story of "IDEAL LADY EEMA MANIPUR" stands as a huge mountain without fear and sees lives following her tradition and culture. She is the one whom everyone bows. With thousands of hands and with the look of "EEMA PANTHOIBI" (Goddess in Manipur), she is the point of sources for highest multi-power. Even if we Manipuri put up anywhere in this world our costume, intelligence, strength, respect and custom remain the same embedding to ourselves. As done every year, this year too "Manipuri Meitei Association, sons of Manipur" has call all Manipuri ningols (ladies) and celebrated "NINGOL CHAKOUBA" with Manipuri pibas (Gents) residing in Bangalore from every knock and corner of Karnataka on Sunday, the 9th November, 2014 at Senate hall, Central Campus, Bangalore.

Manipur, surrounded by nine layers of hill, is a place with heavy rain-falls and cyclones even in the month of "Mera-Hiyangei" (October-November) due to North-East monsoon. Ancestors named this period as 'Meragi Thaomei Mutpi' as the lamp put off as soon as it is lighted even inside the house. As well as Ningol Chakouba is the festival that arrives during the "Chakmei-Singmei" i. e. at the end and before collection of a yearly harvested crop.

According to me, General Secretary of Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore, Ningol-Chakouba! It is a day to have a feast altogether with married daughters and sisters especially inviting them by their parents and brothers as well as ningols (girls) and pibas (boys) kids are the happiest one at the idea of wearing new cloths and gathering with Bobok (grand-ma), Pupu (grand-pa), Mamma (uncle) etc. On this special day, a grand lunch of 'insang mathen-lukoi' (various cuisines) are prepared in the honor of the daughter at her 'mapam' (mother's house).

On 'Ningol Chakouba' married daughters visit their 'mapam' wearing their finest and bring fruits (coconut, apple, orange, banana, etc.), sweets and Kwa-maru-mana (Pan) for the family. The lunch session is usually long as it is always accompanied with joking. Daughters are presented gifts by the parents and brothers. While receiving the gifts from the brothers, younger ones are blessed by elder ones for well being and prosperity in life.

Ningol Chakouba celebration at Bangalore, Karnataka on November 9 2014

But just a feast is not the end of this special social festival. It is a day to meet emotionally all the family members once in a year, also a day to present something by the parents and brothers to their daughters and sisters, a day to wish for the good fortune by the married daughters and sisters, a day to share their life experiences, a day to memories their passed life, a day to hope their future life and a day to introduce their new generations. There is no division between rich and poor in this occasion. The feeling of love on this day has same meaning. The respect for elders by younger and elder's guidance to the younger can also be seen on this day.

Actually, Ningol Chakouba is rooted in legend. Queen Laisana, wife of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, invited her brother Poireiton to enjoy a meal with the royal household. Pakhangba is said to have ascended the throne in 33 AD, so this festival's history can be said to have started in the fourth century. Laisana's benevolent action started a trend, and Piba Chakouba came to be celebrated each year, with the sons visiting their sisters' homes. Maharaja Chandrakriti, who ruled during the nineteenth century, found the task of visiting each of his sisters separately troublesome. As an alternative, he invited all of them to his palace instead, and thus Piba Chakouba became Ningol Chakouba.

Spiritually, Ningol-Chakouba! It is a special festival of Manipuri being celebrated from ancient periods as a symbol of against the torture, mistreat and suppression of women from the various corners of the world in different stages of their life. As a lesson from science, spiritual & ethics the 'Ningol-Chakouba' festival has taught us that 'saving, giving respect and love to the women is only source to maintain peace in the society'.

"Except my wife, remaining all ladies are my mothers and sisters" is the ethical way of life of we Manipuri's. Further, the celebration of Ningol Chakouba will tighten the bond of love between brothers and sisters of Manipur and wished all the ladies in the world to become a brave and ideal mother who can serve the society in future.

The saying - "Give respect then take respect", is also visible anew in this festival. "Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangaluru" has eyes in all its fingers and toes, ears have fixed on walls. Association is also guardian to us all "HUMANS" and we are the "SOUL" of her. Let us unite together. Let us care for our ladies, culture and preserve our custom. Let's make our custom 'imitable to all. Let's preach peace all over the world.

See a photo gallery on this event here