Maram harvest festival concludes
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 30 2010: The greatest post harvest festival of the Marams, popularly known as Kang-ngi in local tongue, was concluded at the picturesque hamlet Maram Khullen village, around 86 km north of state capital Imphal in Senapati district on Thursday with traditional activities.

Last time the festival was till January 11 this year.

The unique feature of the week long traditional festival, on it's concluding day was the naked wrestling between the male competitors of the village.

This festival begins from the 16th day of Maram's lunar month of the Maram tribes,one of the biggest tribe in Manipur.

Women are not allowed to witness the game as it was exclusively for men.Even if they wish to watch the game, they may do so from some distance away from the arena.

With the recent demise of Maram's only surviving queen Apei Hinga Karangnamei,her only son K Namba who is the now the village chief led the traditional customary rituals during the festival.

The queen breathed her last at Maram Khullen on 27 August this year,plays the key role in allowing the media to expose the indigenous game to the outside world.

Otherwise this sporting tradition of the males has been a closely guarded tradition of the village till 2006.Till date Maram elders still insisted not to take pictures from close range while the game is on.

Presentation of gifts to sisters by brothers, community level gathering and joint feasting and playing other indigenous games are other main features of the festival.

Local MLA K Raina who is the native of Maram Khullen was also present during the fest.

Comment