New Delhi, November 30: The Hmar indigenous tribals in Delhi will be celebrating Sikpuiruoi 2007 tomorrow at MTNL Hall, RK Puram, Sector-6, New Delhi.

The Sikpui Pa (Sikpui Father) for this auspicious festival will be Pu Selkai Hrangchal, President of Hmar Inpui, Gen Hqrs.

The first session of the festival will start from 10:30 in the morning, which will be hosted by Sunita Lalparmawi.

In the first session, the Sikpui Pa will be crowned the traditionally coveted Tawnlairang by Pi Kim Sanate and the Sikpui Pa will formally open the Sikpuiruoi festival.

Pu L Keivom will then speak on the history and significance of the unique Sikpuiruoi festival among the Hmar kindred people, followed by the singing of the sacred Sikpui Song led by the Val Upa and Nghak Upa.

A Sikpui message will also be delivered by Pu Darsiemlien Ruolngul, Chairman of the Delhi Hmar Welfare Association (DHWA).

The first session will also witness the rich and colorful dances of the Hmars to be performed by the HSA Cultural Troupe.

In the second session, to be co-hosted by William R.Darngawn and Roselyn Rochanmawi Buhril, there will be a distribution of the championship trophy of Delhi Sikpui Sports 2007 2007 by David L Lungtau, President, HSA Delhi.

The Sikpui Sports 2007 was held between October and November, 2007.Lily Zote, alumni of NIFT, will then present her designs "Sikpui Weaves" with her models.

There will also be an announcement of the DHWA (2008-2009) election result and oath taking ceremony by Rev..JThanglur.

After the end of the session, there will be a traditionally prepared Sikpui feast.

The third session, to be co-hosted by Henry Haulienkung and Mery Darthanmawi will see mesmerization of the Sikpuiruoi crowd by the music of the Sikpui Band and various artistes.

Rewben Mashangva from Ukhrul, Manipur will also be performing with his popular indigenous instruments � the stringed Tingtelia played with a bow and the Yangkahui (bamboo flute) at the Sikpui Music Fest.

Popular girl band from Mizoram � Blue Corn � will also be performing at the festival.

During the festival, there will also be a Mautam Emergency Relief Fund collection for those who are willing to donate to help the famine-hit hill villagers in Tipaimukh.

In the past, Hmar ancestors celebrated Sikpuiruoi only when the time and conditions were at their best; when the community as a whole had a successful and abundant harvest, and the years in which there were no death and disease in the village or among the communities or there were no wars and invasions.

Last year, many of the Hmars all over India did not celebrate Sikpuiruoi as an act of solidarity to their people in Tipaimukh, Manipur who were displaced to Mizoram and their human rights violated by armed insurgent groups.

The remnants of the pre-Christian Sikpuiruoi festival can still be seen in Mizoram, Assam and Manipur where there still lay the Sikpui Stone.

* Lalremlien Neitham can contact the writer at lalremlien(at)gmail(dot)com .

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