Mera Hou Chongba
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 31, 2012 -

Pot Lannaba at Mera Houchongba : re-affirming close bond and ties between hill and valley people at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen :: 29 Oct 2012
Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

As in other cultures of the world, Mera, the seventh month in the traditional Manipuri lunar calendar, which coincides with autumn season, is a very significant transitional phase in the life of the people in Manipur, not only from the religious point of view but also from the socio-economic aspect.

It is that time of the year when the tillers of the soil reap the fruit of their hard labour and are in a mood to rejoice in the company of friends and relatives and make thanksgiving offering to the almighty for the bounteous blessing.

In Manipur, the advent of autumn is heralded with celebration of Mera Chaoren Houba on the first day of Mera and throughout the remaining days of the month, various religious rites as well as rituals including Mera Santuba and Mera Kwak Tanba, etc were performed for the well-being of the land and its people.

It is also during the month of Mera that festivals like Mera Hou Chongba and Mera Wayungba, which best exhibit the inalienable bond of brotherhood that binds together the different groups of people living in the State since time immemorial, are celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety in the truth spirit of camaraderie.

Despite the changes that have been brought about by the passage of time and the attempt made from some quarters to inject poisonous venom into the mind of the people, the month of Mera has withstood the test of time as the symbol of love among different communities in Manipur.

In such a backdrop, the apprehension expressed by titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba over declining number of participation of hill people in the annual Mera Hou Chongba celebration over the years is understandable.

Speaking on the occasion of celebrating the festival at Sana Konung (Royal Palace) on October 29, the titular king cited sectarian politics as the main reason behind the drop in the number of participants from the hill areas and made a strong appeal to all the people to consider Mera Hou Chongba celebration as a non-political festival.

It is true that in the past, people from the hills used to come down in large number to participate in the celebration every year without waiting to be invited and the Royal Palace was abuzz with activities days ahead of the main event.

However, after sectarian politics have come into play casting its menacing shadow over the sentiments of the people, Mera Hou Chongba celebration has never been the same any more.

Nonetheless, it is good to see that many village chiefs from the remoter hill areas still make it a point to come down and participate in the celebration year after year.

This clearly shows that the bond of brotherhood between the hills and the valley people is not entirely lost, and we need to understand the fact that different groups of people living in Manipur are chained to a common destiny, regardless of what the detractors might be trumpeting.