Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 13 2008:
THE SIXTH 'Zeliangrong Folk Festival' which featured the indigenous dances and songs of different clans of the Kabui community organised by the Society for Promotion of Community Trust (SPCT) was held today at Mukten ground of Zeihkuluang village, Loktak Project.
MPCC president Gaikhangam was the chief guest, MLA K Govindas presided and ex-MLA AS Arthur was the guest of honour at the inaugural function.
Speaking at the function, Gaikhangam said Manipur is known to other parts of the globe because of its bountiful age-old traditional culture.
In the rich Manipuri culture, Kabui's indigenous culture has a great room.
He also said that preserving the cultures of all the communities of the state will help a great deal in maintaining the bond of love among the communities.
He also appealed to the elderly Kabui people to teach youngsters the age-old traditional elocutions so as to pass the tradition from generation to generation.
In his speech as guest of honour, AS Arthur said if Kabuis were not then the present, we might have not seen the present Manipur.
He said people of different communities residing in the hills of Manipur used to stay at the houses of the Kabui when they come to Imphal.
In such way Kabuis play a great role in building up good relationship between the valley and hills people, he said.
He also said that in the prevailing situation which people feel fear of going out in the night time, holding of such festival will spread the voice of peace and solidarity in the state.
MLA K Govindas also talked on the aged old close relationship between the Kabuis and Meeteis and said when king of Manipur took the throne, Kabui attires were used.
He also said that invasion by utside religions has become a main cause of separating the two communities.
The main feature of the festival was marked by performance of traditional and cultural dances and presentation of songs by Kabuis people coming from different places converging to the village.
Around 2000 people gathered to witness the festival.
Stalls displaying locally brew liquors, eatables, clothing prepared in Kabuis' traditional ways opened at the festival site were also the main attraction of the festival.