'Virgin dance & Mayar Ngala Yan' regales Luira festival
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, February 18 2025: Much to the delight of the festival revellers, a bevy of Hunphun damsels decked in the best of their traditional fineries stole the limelight on Tuesday, the 5th day of Ukhrul/Hunphun Luira phanit (seed sowing Festival) as they sang and swayed to the folk song during the Laa Khanganui performance.

The festival revellers spare no time thronging into the Mission ground to get the glimpse of the bevy of beautiful Hunphun lasses draped in colourful attires and embellishments, from different localities of Ukhrul town.

They swayed to the folk song during the Laa Khanganui strictly meant for the maidens.

Laa Khanganui was performed as a beauty contest for the maiden of Hunphun girls.

It is still believed that the dance is very sacred and taboo for unchaste girls.

The legend says if any girl, who failed the criteria, takes part in the pageant, an omen is bound to show up indicating that she is not eligible.

While Awungashi Pheichak (folk dance) performed by Tangrei Youth, the dance steps called "Mayar Ngala Yan" allows the performers both men and women to look face to face with the matching partners mesmerized the day.

Aleng Zingkhai who attended as the chief guest of the 5th day of the festival stated Luira phanit is celebrated to get blessing for bountiful harvest from our Almighty, but the present society tends to celebrate in different ways.

He urged to forgo bad things and shun violence to prevail peace and harmony through the celebration of the festival.

Meanwhile, Makra Hongray in his speech enlightened the gathering on the significance and importance of Ukhrul/Hunphun village for the Tangkhul community.

The six days Tangkhul seed sowing Festival organized by Ukhrul/Hunphun Frontal organization under the aegis of Hunphun VA at Mission Ground Alungtang, Ukhrul celebrated with the theme "Unity & Oneness" began with invocation of traditional ritual performed by the Village headman HA Khayaiwo at his resident Awungtang on February 15 for bountiful blessing.

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