Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 31 2010:
The three day Chagah, a festival of Liangmai tribe associated with war, was celebrated at Tamei in Tamenglong district with a seminar on preservation of the cultural and traditional festival.
The seminar held on the second day of the festival yesterday was sponsored by the state tribal research institute and Rev H Newmai, deputy director of Tribal Research Kimkholhing Lhunkim, president of Liangmei Naga Council of Liangmei Arts and Cultural Society, Ch Dithimbou were in the podium in the inaugural function.
According to retired joint director of TRI, Kaikhamang Daimei, Liangmei people are very much attached to dance and music.
The attachement is expressed with different forms of dance and music, he added.
The Chagah festival is traditionally celebrated before men-folk go to war.
In the old days men-folk were made free from all sorts of stress before going to battle.
During the festival, men-folk going to war were made to feel joyous by women and other members of the tribe.
They served them with locally brew beer.
The festival lasts for five days.
The festival is usually celebrated in the month of October.
The celebration begins on the first day of Chaga Calendar of Laingmai.
The man who sees the moon on the first day of the month is considered to be the luckiest man of the tribe.
So, people eagerly wait for the moon to rise on this day.
For a healthy and happy life, man-folk of the tribe abstained from using any undesirable food.
They abstained from consuming Khongdrum, Sebot etc.
They believe that consuming these items shortens life and also causes misfortunes in their future life.
The first day of the festival was marked by dances presented by students of various schools in Tamei area and selection of 'Miss' and 'Mister Chagah' of the year.
The selection was done with all youths standing in a line separately and they themselves pointed out and chose
the best.
This year's 'Miss Chagah' was Zet Willianliu while the 'Mister Chagah' title was won by Kaishingebou.