Mera Hou Chongba held amid festivities

IMPHAL, October 29: Since time immemorial, the 15th day of the Manipuri calendar month “Mera” has been observed as the Mera Hou Chongba in commemoration of the age-old brotherhood and love between the valley and the hills of the state.

Manipur Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba during the Mera Hou Chongba function at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.

Legends say that while the Meiteis who inhabited the valley region is the younger brother, the tribes who inhabited in the hills are the elder brothers.

The day was also observed today in presence of hundreds of people both from all the communities residing in the state spreading across the hills and the valleys.

The observation had commenced yesterday evening itself with people from the hills arriving at the Manipur Royal Palace for the festival. The Manipuri titular king had welcomed the visitors at his palace.

Meanwhile, the festival commenced today from the Royal Palace from where a procession was taken out to Kangla led by Manipur titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba this morning.

At the Kangla, the ‘Kabui Amaiba’ (traditional Kabui priest) performed the ‘Yengkhong tamba’ and after performing several traditional rituals at Kangla, the titular king led the procession back to the royal palace.

Later in the afternoon, a formal function was held at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen to celebrate the festival.

During the formal function, gifts were exchange between the participants who were from different communities.

The titular king also received gifts from the tribal leaders and vice versa.

Speaking during the function, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that the month of ‘Mera’ is a very important month in the hills-valley relation of Manipur.

The day has been observed since the ‘Íbudhou Pakhangba’ era. He also said that Mera Hou Chongba is a non political festival and is not confined to a single community.

He also elaborated that necessary gifts are exchanged between the two brothers residing in the hills and the plains during the festival.

Elaborating further on the way the festival was observed in olden times, the titular king said, the exchange of gifts were always followed by a grand feast. While, gifts were exchanged at the valley; for the feast the valley communities used to travel up the hills for the feast, he said. The feast has been discontinued for some time now, the titular king added.

The titular king ended his speech by expressing the need to educate the people of Manipur on the importance of the festival which would only bring unity amongst the various communities of the state.

Other highlights of the festival include cultural dance shows from various communities.

People from the hills including the village heads from the districts like Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul and all other districts attended the festival.(Courtesy: Imphal Free Press)