CULTURE OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA-MANIPUR

CULTURE OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA-MANIPUR

Religion:

                     Hinduism constitutes 41.39% of Manipur population. The religion of Manipur may be regarded as an amalgam of the traditional religion and Chaitanyaite Vaishnavism.  Christianity is the second largest religion in Manipur. Sanamahism is the ancient indigenous animistic religion. Manipuri Muslims constitute about 8.3% of the state population.

Festivals:

Cheiraoba 

                       Cheiraoba is celebrated on the 1^st day of Sajibu month (March-April). This is also known as Spring festival in Manipur. Yaoshang (Holi) celebration starts from the full moon day of Phalguna month (February-March). People throw and spray dry and wet colours on each other, sing songs and dance together.  Lai Haraoba is among the widely celebrated festivals in Manipur. Kang Festival or Rath yatra, takes place in Govindjee temple in Manipur, every year. Here, the idols of Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra are taken in kang (local word for rath or chariot).

Yaoshang (Holi) 

Cuisine:

 Chamthong 

           Chamthong or Kangshoi is a vegetable stew that consists of seasonal vegetables that are boiled and flavoured with sliced onions, cloves, salt, garlic, maroi and a bit of ginger. Eromba is a delightful combination of rice and fish. Their cuisine almost consists of a fish type called Ngari. Morok Metpa chutney is a hit in Manipur. It is prepared using green chillies and Ngari fish. Singju is a type of salad that is bursting with vegetables. Paaknam is the fish cake that is prepared with the traditional Ngari fish. Chahhao Kheer is made using rice, milk and cardamom powder. It is a pleasing shade of purple.

 Eromba

Singju

Dress:

 Innaphi 

     Khamen Chatpa

                 The beauty of the traditional Manipuri dresses lies in its simplicity.

 Innaphi is a typical Manipuri shawl worn by the women of Manipur. Manipuri men wear jacket, turban and dhoti. A special kind of ritual dhoti referred to as Khamen Chatpa is worn by men belonging to the upper strata of society. Manipuri grooms usually wear dhoti-Kurta and pagri. During the Raas leela festivals, attires like Potlois and Kumins are flaunted and also during the various festival - related dance performances, costumes like Koks and Phuris are worn.

Crafts:

Wood carving

             Wood Carving is a craft popular in Manipur. The main products are wooden tray, spoon and drum etc. Stone carving is a very old traditional craft in the hill areas of Manipur. The craftsperson in Bishnupur district in Manipur are making many utility items like bowls, grinders, plates etc. Hand block printing is one of the most favourite art and craft in Manipur. Printing on pillow-covers and bed-sheets are now very common in Manipur. Kauna is a type of reed usually grown in the wetlands and marshes. Hand-Embroidery is also practised here.

Music and Dance:

Khamba Thoibi

Pung Cholom

                    Khamba Thoibi Dance is performed by a male and a female in the honour of Sylvan deity. Maibi dance signifies recreation and is a part of the Lai-Haraoba festival. Pung Cholom is the beautiful classical dance form of Manipur. Some varieties of folk music from the area include the rural love songs khullang eshei, the rhythmic Lai Haraoba eshei, which contain lyrics with veiled references to erotic mysticism and pena eshei is accompanied by pena, an instrument made from a bamboo rod and the shell of a gourd or coconut.  

DONE BY,

VARSHAA.R