The Beauty Of Marriage Ceremony In Manipur
Warner Keisham *
The Meitei have strictly proscriptive rule of exogamous clan,
By forbidding inter-marriage, inter alia, the members of a clan.
The relationships thus maintained are, ipso facto, of blood, consanguineal sytem,
It's said that with certain prohibitions of Yek-Salai, Meitei have no innate malady's symptoms.
In the traditional Meetei marriage ceremony, there were several stages,
Nupi Haiba/Haidokpa is the proposal/asking for the bride's hand as the first stage.
Mostly, this first stage of Nupi Haidokpa occurs after eloping for a 'One Night Stand',
Denial of marriage is hard to claim by both the families, due to such incident of 'One Night Stand'.
Next steps is the acceptance/announcement of the forthcoming marriage, as 'Yathangthaba',
Then, final agreement to the marriage proposal by both the families is known as Waroipot-Puba.
Offering of fruits to bride's family 'Heijing Khurai Puba' is the most significant part of all four stages,
The grooms family brought not only the fruits/sweets but articles and other items in this sacred stage.
These articles and items are specially meant for bride's father, Lamlai (Umanglai) of the locality,
Also, meant for Apok Asha (family ancestor) and God Sanamahi and Goddess Leimaral Sidabi.
It indicates that the marriage ceremony is sanctioned not only by parents but also by the Deities.
Indeed, Meitei have opted different religions but still worshiping their ancestor's God & Deities.
The actual marriage ceremony took place at the bride's resident
,On the same day, a ritual was also performed by Amaiba at bridegroom's resident.
Then, the bridegroom set out for the bride's resident, under guidance of Nupa Senaba ,
Married women were engaged to carry things like rice, salt, ngamu/fish & fruits as a 'Phiruk Puba'.
Lukmai (a rounded big tray made of bamboo), is one of the important things to be carried,
On which some clothes & ornaments are placed, along with Phiruks containing fruits also be carried.
In that marriage ritual the right hands of the bride and bridegroom were tied together,
With a garland (along with the special blessing) by the bride's mother.
Kujapot – an earthen dish containing gifts items offered by the bride to the groom,
To get his kind and affection & 'Kundo pareng hookpa' to each other 'bride and bridegroom',
White flower garland refers to make sacred promises of staying together till the end of life,
Also two Meetei Ngamus were set free so that to take away sorrows & suffering from their life.
* Poem written by Warner Keisham . The poet can be contacted at wannerkeisham(at)gmail(dot)com
This poem was webcasted on December 16 2011.
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