Imphal, May 09 2009: Around 1000 village men folks, irrespective of their religions and Christian denominations, pulled home a giant monolith stone in the run up to the St.

Thomas Church Golden Jubilee celebration and Poumai Catholic Congress at Laii village next year.

Being one of the oldest villages of Poumai, Senapati, Manipur and well-known for their rich culture and tradition, this time too, the Laii villagers opt the ancient way of bringing home the stone by themselves to upkeep the aged-old practice instead of relying on the easy and time-saving modern technologies.

The monolith stone was found 4 Kms away from the village.

It stands 15 feet high with 6 feet in breadth and 2 feet in thickness.

This could be a rear found for the villagers as no such big stones are often found these days in the surrounding due its extinction.

And in fact, performance of rituals through spirit-lifting and prayerful folksongs before the stone is being pulled on, whooping and chanting in one unison as they pull it on and grand feast celebrated by whole villagers after the stone is finally pulled home is indeed a yesterday once more of bygone Feast of Merits in Naga society.

As the men folks pulled the stone up from the downhill and up towards the Laii village in sweats under the sweltering sun, women folks in colorful traditional attires cheer them up with folksong on the wayside.

And the song goes "To the highest mountain we went, dived into the deepest sea and combed the thickest forest in search of you (stone).

Now we've found you after a long and tiresome search".

The song also lulled away the stone, "We want you (stone), we love you, and we want to be with you.

Obey us and follow us to where we are heading for".

And an old man folk also shared that stone can't feel the touch of human being nor see people who are pulling it, but it can hear the voice of calling home by its pullers.

Therefore, they should keep on chanting until they reach their destination.

While men folks rest and regain their strength under the shed of trees, women folks serve them local rice beer in the cups made of banana leaves, gingers and local-made salt.

All along the way, one could see and feel their undying passion, spirit and unity reflected in their chanting, sweats and breathes.

When the stone is pulled home successfully, celebration begins.

Men and women feasted on local drinks and delicious food items generously provided by the Church members till dust.

Comment