TODAY -

Rethinking on Yaosang: Sports and tourism week options in the globalised era

Dr N Somorendro *

Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa- Torch lighting at Kangla by Leikai clubs :: March 02 2018
Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa- Torch lighting at Kangla by Leikai clubs on March 02 2018 : Pix - Shankar Khangembam



One disturbing fact and an indication of conservatism in the globalised era in Manipur is the increasing number of kumei-harao (festivals). In preserving festivals and converting even modern activity into ritual and festival form, Manipur is really innovative. The modern and democratic elections are also becoming like festivals in the state. Even the newspapers which are democratic and secular activity are not published for five days. The successive governments keep adding government sponsored/state level festivals.

Is the increasing number of festivals sign of progress and development specially in the globalised era? If the answer is yes, Manipur is on the top of the world given number of festivals celebrated throughout the year particularly among the Meitei. Alas Manipur has low indicators of development and facing multiple challenges indicating the collective failure of leadership, politics and society.

It is worth re-rethinking at Yaosang festival and explores some tangible options given the conservatism of the elites and society, emerging national economy, disturbing realities of globalization, increasing economic dependency etc in Manipur.

Yaosang has five days long celebration, causes imposition and jail like situation for those who are not interested, heavy expenditure, corrupting influence on the young boys and girls, increasing crimes, devastating influences on the students appearing in the Class X, XI and XII examinations etc. Yaosang, a unique traditional festival of Meitei is one of the longest festivals in the world with thabal chongba (moon light dance) continues for more than one month. It also affects the other social groups living in Manipur.

The first option is to reduce the disturbing effects of Yaosang to the students appearing the Class X, XI and XII examinations. The Education Department and two school boards can readjust the examinations schedule from next year. It can be either by completing examinations before Yaosang or re-schedule the dates to reduce the disturbance of Yaosang on the students appearing the Class X, XI and XII examinations.

This is because the dates of Yaosang cannot be changed under any circumstances. This year 2018 students appearing Class X, XI and XII examinations had terrible time as Yaosang falls during examinations with loud noises of Yaosang sports in day time and loud drum beats of thabal chongba (moon light dance) upto 2. A.M. at night.

The second consideration is some regulation by the concerned authorities of the use loud speakers/mike for Yaosang thabal chongba say from 6.30 P. M. to 11.30 PM only. The allowing young boys and girls to dance with loud music upto 1.30/2.00 A. M. at night cannot be justified on any ground.

The right of the thabal chongbi/chongba to dance is accepted but their dancing and organizers disturbing/depriving the sleep of others including older persons upto 1.30/2.00 AM at night is not reasonable at all. During elections use of load speakers are already regulated. There shall be some regulation in the use of loud speakers/mike with specific timing during festivals. Historically none of the traditional festivals used mike or loud speakers as in the present time.

The third option is organizing simultaneously state level sports week and tourism week during Yaosang. State level sports week shall be competitive sporting event with the participation of talented young sportspersons from every community and all the districts in Manipur. This is certainly possible and excellent option with the budgetary support from the government and can be organized by Sports Department.

Some indigenous games of Manipur can be included in addition to national/globally recognized sports. The sports week will provide a golden opportunity/platform to the talented youths from every part of the state. There is need to preserve and protect local/leikai lampak for playgrounds from future construction of community halls etc .

For healthy childhood and sporting activity leikai lampak are crucial for daily activities rather than community halls which are occasionally used. In some localities there is crisis of not having local lampak due to construction of community hall.

Simultaneously tourism week can be organized by the Tourism Department during Yaosang for both internal tourists within Manipur and external tourists from rest of India and world. Such has been the practice already in the other parts of the world during traditional and modern festivals. Thus the unique festival of Yaosang �sports and thabal chongba dance can be popularized nationally and globally in the globalised era.

Manipuris living in other parts of India and world can play positive roles in globalizing the festival of Yaosang after agreeing to certain norms and rules. These are acceptable options and will provide better opportunities for the young talented sports lovers and youth. Simple imposition may not work as it is happening in the case of prohibition in Manipur.

Yaosang thabal chongba has become an occasion to show expensive dresses by some girls. For some boys thabal chongba has become like a social license to intoxication including smoking, to roam around freely at night and dance with the girls of other places and come back home late upto 2 A.M. at night.

Thus it becomes a serious health and moral issue and also a source of tension between young boys and their parents/family members. Crimes including killings related to or originated from thabal chongba are increasing. There are of course variations from one place to another.

Given the above disturbing trends associated with Yaosang, emerging socio-economic dependency, liberalized India and globalization, above options and possibilities can be considered seriously. The harsh realities of globalization include stiff competition, privatization, commercialization, rising inequalities, massive expansion in TV and media, consumerism etc.

Another reality is that the dominant countries and groups take the maximum benefits and apparently no mercy and no protection of the smaller social groups. Festivals and traditional cultural practices alone cannot provide the necessities of modern life and no guarantee of sustainability of group identity and interests. The rate of the population below the poverty in Manipur is 47% in the year 2009-2010 while the national average in India is 29.8%.

The dominant mode of economic activity in the state is dealership and retailing rather than production and service orientation. Creating more opportunities and empowerment of the common people economically and socio-economic and cultural changes are the necessities for every social group in the globalised era.

Conservatism in a way provides legitimacy to the elites in the society and leads to the preservation of their privileges. But it is also a cause to impoverishment of the common people and resistance to new knowledge and innovation. In Manipur each festival and cultural practice has their own unique role in the socialization process, cultural identity and civilization. Historically the kings and elites patronized festivals of various kinds.

The tragic situation is that after democracy, republicanism and secular principles and process in India and globalization since 1990s has not brought emancipation from the conservatism particularly of the elites in Manipur. This is one of the fundamental problems of present time with lot of implication in cultural, economic and political life of the people and state. The group, society and polity which are not able to reform and innovate with the requirements of time and in relation to the changing world are not only dependent on the others but likely to face even survival question in future.

Leadership in politics, academics, education, business, judiciary, civil service, civil society, culture, sports, social work, hospitality, health care etc who understand the above challenges in the globalised era and have vision will definitely have the power to overcome them in Manipur.

The days of self-sufficiency with minimum needs are history. The disturbing realities in social, economic and political life in Manipur particularly in the globalised era are required to be analyzed scientifically and collectively understood. Earlier the better and later means more problems and difficulties. Look at how the people of Manipur�s neglect of spiritual and cultural practice of worshipping of Phouoibi- the indigenous Goddess of abundant paddy has coincided with the heavy dependency on the imported rice.

The tragedy is instead of focusing on the strategies for modernizing and diversification of production system and restoring self�sufficiency in rice and other foods, the focus is on the misallocation of imported subsidized cheaper and tasteless rice. Nobody is going to come and help us but we have to help ourselves and extend cooperation with one another and others in the globalised era. There lies the importance of inculcating Yaosang spirit and extension of how it is organized to other modern activities/areas.

There are certainly some positive aspects of the Yaosang and the way it has been organized in Manipur, otherwise known as land of �no funds and deficits�. Children and young boys and girls are enthusiastic participants in the Yaosang sports competitions and cultural activities helping them to develop some sporting spirit and social skills. The children have better options and are free from obsession like watching TV, playing mobile, computer, eating junk foods etc.

Married women, who otherwise busy all the time, have some recreation activities and even participate in sporting events. Yaosang funds are voluntary contributions from the persons residing in a leikai or locality and definitely some financial help from the political class/�social workers�. The heavy expenditure in thabal chongba costing upto Rs.60,000/- in some leikai, few leikai can come together to reduce the cost and disturbance also.

If Yaosang spirit, collection of funds and the manner of organizing are extended to other modern activities/areas like financial help to the poor students for their education, distressed family in the locality etc it will be wise and health practice. Education is one of the necessities of modern time and more educated persons better for the locality and society.

If there are more support systems within a leikai there will be more harmony and less conflict. This aspect can be considered by clubs, leadership etc who often organize the sporting and other cultural events like Yaosang. It is high time researchers conduct some scientific studies on the various aspects of Yaosang and leaders take wise decisions keeping in mind for the present and future generations.


* Dr N Somorendro wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The author is the General Secretary, FEGOCTA
This article was posted on 30 March , 2018 .


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.


LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • SPONSORED ADS