Source: Hueiyen News Network
Imphal, January 03 2008:
The traditional religious festival of the Tangkhul tribe, Chumphut Phanit, opening of the paddy-store and start using paddy for the first time after the last harvest, was celebrated with pomp and gaeity today at Hongmahn Village, more popularly known as Khongban Tangkhul Village, 23 kms north of Imphal, in Saikul Sub-Division in Senapati District.
The festivities were marked by prayers at the church, all villagers partaking in a grand feast prepared from the rice just taken out of the paddy-store, auction of various items, sports activities, tug of war between men and women etc.
Leishangthem Yaima, a social worker , was the chief guest and village chief Akhui Zimik presided over the celebrations.
Major Akshay of 23 Assam Rifles, Sagolmang post attended the celebrations as a special guest.
About 20 invitees of different professions including a few media persons from Imphal attended the celebrations.
Among them were the noted social worker and cultural activist, Naoroibam Ratan @ Kapu, Territorial Manager (Manipur) of Aircel, Elangbam Satyajit and Miss Mairembam Mona, daughter of the Late MLA of Moirang Assembly Constituency, M Manindra and elder sister of the newly elected M Prithviraj.
In the auction, held as an important part of the festival, a form of raising funds for next year's celebrations, one head of a pig was sold at Rs 1,000 to the highest bidder who was the chief guest of the day.
Sugarcanes were also auctioned- one at Rs 500, another at Rs 400 etc.
Empty plastic jars which people use for putting kitchen commodities were auctioned at Rs 100 each.
Two or three sacks of paddy were auctioned off at a whopping amount of Rs 7000.Likewise, many other vegetable items were also sold in auction.
A volleyball tournament was played between Khongban Village team and 23 AR's team.
A tug-of-war was also held between a team of eight men led by chief guest, L Yaima and N Kapu and 15 women's team of Khongban Village led by Miss Mairembam Mona.
The women's team won the interesting tug-of-war 2-1 .
Village chief, Akhui Zimik honoured the special invitees on the occasion by presenting shawls to them.