Manipur is a land of festivities, merriments and mirths all the year
round. A year in Manipur Presents a cycle of festivals. Hardly a month
passes without a festival or two. To the manipuris, festivals are the
symbols of their cultural, social and religious aspirations which,
besides removing the monotony of life by providing physical
diversions, mental recreation and emotional outlet, help them lead a
better and fuller life.
Ningol Chakouba - the social festival of Manipuries
It is a remarkable social festival of the Meiteis. Married women of the family who were
married to distant places come to the parental house along with her children and enjoy
sumptuous feast. It is a form of family rejoinder to revive familial affection. The festival is
also observed by the Pangals (Manipuri Muslims) to a certain extent now-a-days. It is
observed on the second day of the new moon in the Manipuri month of
Hiyangei(November).
Yaoshang - The premier festival of Manipur Hindus
Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna
(february/March), Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur. The Thabal Chongba - a
kind of Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle,
is particularly associated with this festival. Boys and girls and old women collect donations
from house to house and the money so collected is spent in a number of parties and feast.
Indeed, Yaosang to Manipur is what Durga Puja is to Bengal, Diwali in north India and Bihu
to Assam.
Ramjan ID - The premier festival of Manipur Hindus
Ramjan Id is the most popular festival of the Manipuri Muslims (Meitei Pangal) in Manipur
and is observed in the usual spirits of joy and festivities as in other Muslim world Ramjan is
the ninth month of Hijri year since the time of prophet Mohammed and during this month the
Muslims practice seld denial ny avoiding any food, drink and smoke from pre-dawn till
sunset. During this month is spent on prayers. After the month on the second day of
shawwal, when the new moon is visible they break fast and this fast breaking day is called
Id-Ul-Fitre. On this day, they go to the mosques to offer prayers and take delicious dishes,
exchange greetings and call on the friends and relatives.
KUT - the festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo
It is an autumn festival of the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. The
festival has been variously described at different places amongst different tribes as
Chavang-Kut or Khodou etc. It is a happy occasion for the villagers whose food stock is
boundiful after a year of hard labour. The festival is a thanks giving featsts with songs and
dances in merriment and joviality for all, in honour of the giver of an abundant harvest, it is
observed on the 1st of November every year.
Gang-Ngai - Festival of Kabui Nagas
Celebrated for five days in the month of Wakching (December/Janaury) GANG-NGAI is
an important festival of the Kabui Nagas. The festival opens with the omen taking
ceremony on the first day and the rest of the days are associated with common feast,
dances of old men and women and of boys and girls, presentation of farewell gifts etc. For
1997, it starts from Janaury 21.
Chumpha -festival of Tangkhul Nagas
Celebrated for seven days in the month of December, the Chumpha festival is a great
festival of the Tanghul Nagas. The festival is held after harvest. The last three days are
devoted to social gatherings and rejoicing. Unlike other festivals women play a special role
in the festival. The concluding part of the festival ends with a provession within the village.
Christmas - The festival of Christians
The Christmas is the greatest festival of all the Christains of Manipur, observed for two
days on December 24 and 25. Prayers, reading of Gospels, eating, singing of hymns,
lectures on Christ, sports etc., form the major part of the festival. In some villages where
the inhabitants are well-off, the celebration continues till Janaury 1 on which the New Years
day is also observed.
Cheiraoba - The Manipur NewYear
During the festival, people clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive
dishes which are first offered to various deities. Celebrated during the month of April, a part
of the ritual entails villagers climbing the nearest hill tops in belief that it will enable them to
rise to greater heights in their worldly life. The Pangals (Manipuri Muslims) also observe it.
Kang - The RathaJatra of Manipur
One of the greatest festivals of the Hindus of Manipur, the festival is celebrated for ten
days(July). Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a car known as 'Kang' in Manipur pulled by
pilgrims who vie with one another for this honour.
Heikru Hitongba
Celebrated in the month of September, a festival of joy, with little religious significance along
a 16 metre wide boat. Long narrow boats are used to accommodate a large number of
rowers. Idol of Shri Bishnu is installed before the commencement of the race.
