TODAY -
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Maram Khullen, April 18 2010:
Scores of Maram belles vied with each other to showcase their beauty and talents yesterday during the three Mangkhang of women's festival here at Maram Khullen, one of the largest Maram villages in Manipur's Senapati district, located around 86 kilometres north of the state capital Imphal.
Mangkhang or women festival of the community which started from April 13 last with a community fishing event at the rivers close to the Maram inhabited villages is one of the largest and oldest festival of the women of the Maram tribe.
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Though the community fishing was held at various rivers in their locality, those living at Willong village organized at the first stage of mighty Barak river.Though it was a festival of Maram ladies including those newly married and unmarried ones, the whole community is involved as the catch of the fishing event is mainly for the purpose of the Mangkhang festival.
"Traditionally we organised the fishing event especially for the Mangkhang",a young Maram lady said.
While the menfolk fish for two or three days, the the Maram women went busy in collecting and gathering firewood as they wait for the men to return from the fishing,Pungdi Celistine, President of the Maralui Karalimai Swijoikang (Maram Students' Union) said in a release.
But the main event of the festival was held on Saturday as young and newly married Maram ladies showcase their beauty and talents through traditional folk dance known as Psii-ha.
The Maram community gathered at the local ground and cheered as widows, menfolk and children escorted these belles on to the ground for the folk dance, which was followed by a competition of folk songs among the women of the three Sageis or traditional colonies among the Maram Khullen villagers.
Traditionally the three day festival which is still confined in their respective villages, serves as an occasion for young bachelors to select their prospective brides.
Another significant of the festival include the newly married girls' opportunity to spend the night at girls dormitory without their respective husband's objection.
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HEADLINES - 19, APR 2010
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