The Cycle of Life
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 10, 2013 -

A woman buying Kusum Lei for offering to god on the occasion of Sajibu Cheiraoba :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Continuing the natural cycle of life, Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba has arrived once again, marking the parting of the old year and commencement of a new year.

For the Meeteis and other believers of Lainingthou Sanamahi who settling not just in Manipur but also in other parts of the globe, the first day of Sajibu and its celebration as Cheiraoba holds a special place in their heart not just in term of its religious significance and the associated rites and rituals but also in the underlining meaning behind celebrating the festival and the life itself.

Days ahead of the festival, family members start cleaning and decorating their houses and women of the house prepare Athenpot of the best available seasonal vegetables, rice, fruits and flowers for offering to Lainingthou Sanamahi and Ima Leimarel Shidabi, who are worshipped in every household.

Special festive dishes are prepared from the vegetables and rice that have been offered to the household deities and before partaking in a grand feast, some portions of the cooked food were offered by an elder of the family at the gate of the house for the three deities namely Iram Maba Tumaba, Iram Senba Tusenba and Kumsana Puriklai as well as for the spirits like Hanu-Kokchao and Hanu Leikham for the protection of the family in the days to come.

At Phunga-Lairu, the fire place of the house, Goddess Emoinu is worshipped with similar offerings for the prosperity and well-being of the family.

An interesting feature of the celebration is the sharing of the food and other delicacies prepared with neighbours and relatives, thus, reinforcing mutual love and respect for each other.

After the feast, all the people climb to their nearby hill-tops (Cheiraochings) to enable them to rise to greater heights in this worldly life.

Even if the origin of the festival may be shrouded in history, but the first day of the month of Sajibu in the lunar calendar which corresponds to March-April period in the Gregorian calendar has come down to be celebrated as New Year by the Meeteis and other followers of Sanamahism.

It is that time of the year when all the seeds sown in previous month of Lamda (March) spouted buds, Saji (Deer) changes its horn and the Nature starts revealing its glory to the fullest.

That is why Sajibu Nongma Panba (first day of Sajibu) and its celebration as Cheiraoba (New Year) are of great significant.

In olden days, it is said the king used to proclaim parting of the old year and arrival of a new year on Cheiraoba day at the Royal Palace and message was subsequently relayed to the rest of the people in the kingdom by the respective Leikai Lakpas, namely Khwai, Yaiskul, Khurai and Wangkhei, who went around riding on horseback with a bell attached on the tip of a stick.

Hence, the concept of Cheiraoba (Chei, meaning stick and Roaba or Laoba, meaning proclamation, came into vogue.

However, during the reign of King Kyamba in 15th century, a new system was introduced wherein on every Cheiraoba day, a new Cheithaba, who would take over the risk of all the misfortunes that might befall the kingdom during a particular year, was appointed.

Even if the mode of celebrating Cheiraoba may have changed over the years, but the intrinsic value of the festival that serves to strengthen the bond of unity in the family, neighbourhood and community at large has remained intact.

That is the beauty of Cheiraoba and its message for peace and unity within as well as with the world around us for the continuity of cycle of life.

Happy Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba to all.