Andro upholds ancient traditions
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 21 2014 : The ancient tradition of Pujari (chakthongba) Chaminnaba was celebrated yesterday at Andro Lamthabung.

Community feast and merry-making were the main features of the event celebrated every three years.

Talking about the event, Andro Khullakpa Chingakham Gandharaj said that the institution of Pujari is indispensable in the village administration.

The main functions of village administration are done by the institutions of Khullakpa, Ahallup Pana Shang and Naharup Pana Shang.

But in socio-religious activities including death and marriage ceremonies, the institutions of Pujari and Arangpham take primary responsibility.

The institutions of Pujari would look after catering service at all socio-religious gatherings while the institution of Arangpham takes care of arranging all such functions, the chief said.

A pujari while cooking food should wear white khudei (loin cloth), white turban and urik should be compulsorily hung around his neck.

The Sangai Express has already published a news story about Arangpham Chaminnaba function held at Andro on May 17 which was followed by Pujari Chaminnaba held yesterday.

The basic difference between the two traditional functions is, unmarried girls cannot take part in Pujari Chaminnaba even if they may participate in Arangpham Chaminnaba.

Head Pujari Hijam Ningthoujao is basically about hand over and take over between old Pujaris and young Pujaris.

At present, there are more 900 Pujaris at Andro.

Out of them 80 are yet to be enlisted in the institution of Pujari.

Sharing of Waiyu (locally brewed rice beer) and Shingju is an integral part of the event.

A team of volunteers called Dolaipaba would guard the venue of the event so as to avoid any untoward incident.

If any one is found misbehaving in the course of the event, the volunteers would take him inside a hall.

There the offender would be gagged with phibul (a cloth folded tightly in round figure) and beaten as told by village elders.

Some other ancient traditions still practised at Andro are Lamta Thangja Sharoi Khangba, Maibi Chaklen Katpa during Manipuri calendar months of Inga-Ingen and offering of floral tributes to departed ancestors during the month of Langban.

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