Spring Spirit for Change
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 21, 2015 -
The onset of the spring season has been associated with the beginning of vegetative rejuvenation.
It is a season when plants break dormancy leading to changes. One can see flowers bloom in free spirit, smell the soil dampened by winter harshness and feel the air entwined with the fragrance of wild flowers.
Along with the season of change comes Meetei Sajibu Cheiraoba, observed as Meetei New year.
Regarded as one of the biggest one-day festivals of Manipur, the occasion is also marked by annual religious practice, rites and rituals observed with traditional fervour. It is also an occasion which marks the temporal link between the new and the old.
Thus, 'Cheiraoba' literally means the declaration of a New Year. Meeteis fervently believe that the Almighty not only controls one’s fortunes but also guides human beings accomplish their dreams.
As Manipur welcomes the spring this year, it is time for the Meeteis to celebrate ‘Sajibu Nongma Panba’ with festive vivacity and fanfare.
While exchanging greetings and wishing each other prosperous future, it is another opportunity for all to reflect on not onlyissues confronting Manipur but also the very practice of observing Cheiraoba.
While the day is observed with festive gaiety and sumptuous feasts shared with family members and friends besides the mandatory observance of age-old traditions, Meeteis should also seek and infuse new meanings to the annual ritual festivity.
First of all, one should ask certain uncomfortable questions on the futility as well as usefulness of observing ‘two days’ for the ‘same day’ by the community who follow apparently different faiths – whether in celebration or in observance.
This is not to reinitiate another debate on the historicity and polemics over the exactness of how the community began observing the annual ritual. However, one needs to ponder on whether or not temporal renewal of existence does carry any symbolic consistencies with regard to change.
Here, we should also note that the idea of reinventing traditions can be as rigorous as the revival of age old ritual traditions.
What is even more important is grasping the core concept of the collective spirit behind the festive celebration and the future one looks forward for fulfilling dreams based one concerted efforts for change.
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