Peren | March 6 : Come March, the Jalukians are there in their best for their most important traditional celebration. The Zeliangrongs have many festivals, each having their own distinctive significance. Among all festivals of the Zeliangrongs, ‘Mleingyi’ has been the major gala of the community which also marks the end of a chilly winter and the heralding of a lovely spring. It is observed with much enthusiasm, fastened with customary agricultural practices, preceding burning of their jhum fields and seed-sowing.
Prior to the onset of the festival, the village chief announces its advent so that his native folks may complete their farming and household works to prepare themselves for the celebration. The festival lasts for a week commencing from 9th March onwards. Traditional fire-making and slaughter of animals on the first day marks the commencement of the festival. The flame obtained through traditional fire-making from one source is brought to respective male dormitory of the village and is allowed to burn throughout the celebration period. The men-folks bathe before sunrise signifying purification of body and soul. They also perform rituals for the entire festival— each ritual intricately performed with the credence for the good health, longevity, success and security of their village.
During the carnival the male members of the village prepare separate hearths; eat and drink from the newly prepared cups and plates made of bamboo and banana leaves. They also remain chaste from the women-folk during the entire celebration period.
The predominant theme of the festival is offering prayers and seeking blessings from the supreme God to protect from all sources of evils and to favor moderate weather for bountiful food and grains all through the year.
Colorful attires and merry-making among the young and old embody the fiesta, during which it is also considered a bad omen to set out beyond the village for any occupational vocation.
The carnival also witnesses traditional Indigenous games and sports to select the strongest and the most abled men and women in respective disciplines who will eventually be declared as the pride of the clan and the village as a whole.
The occasion also witnesses — apart from games and competitions— customary dances accompanied by folk songs with different rhythmic combinations and connotative lyrics — each having different attributions. The betrothed couples of the year are also invited for a good time during this ‘Mleingyi’ for all leisurely fiesta and to have the pleasure of enjoying Zeliang delicacies exclusively with their kinfolks.
The Jalukie Pumling Nko has wished all Zeliangrongs to fervently observe 2011 Mleingyi in the spirit of unity and peace. This was stated in a press note issued by Lungda Nring Chairman, JPN.
Prior to the onset of the festival, the village chief announces its advent so that his native folks may complete their farming and household works to prepare themselves for the celebration. The festival lasts for a week commencing from 9th March onwards. Traditional fire-making and slaughter of animals on the first day marks the commencement of the festival. The flame obtained through traditional fire-making from one source is brought to respective male dormitory of the village and is allowed to burn throughout the celebration period. The men-folks bathe before sunrise signifying purification of body and soul. They also perform rituals for the entire festival— each ritual intricately performed with the credence for the good health, longevity, success and security of their village.
During the carnival the male members of the village prepare separate hearths; eat and drink from the newly prepared cups and plates made of bamboo and banana leaves. They also remain chaste from the women-folk during the entire celebration period.
The predominant theme of the festival is offering prayers and seeking blessings from the supreme God to protect from all sources of evils and to favor moderate weather for bountiful food and grains all through the year.
Colorful attires and merry-making among the young and old embody the fiesta, during which it is also considered a bad omen to set out beyond the village for any occupational vocation.
The carnival also witnesses traditional Indigenous games and sports to select the strongest and the most abled men and women in respective disciplines who will eventually be declared as the pride of the clan and the village as a whole.
The occasion also witnesses — apart from games and competitions— customary dances accompanied by folk songs with different rhythmic combinations and connotative lyrics — each having different attributions. The betrothed couples of the year are also invited for a good time during this ‘Mleingyi’ for all leisurely fiesta and to have the pleasure of enjoying Zeliang delicacies exclusively with their kinfolks.
The Jalukie Pumling Nko has wished all Zeliangrongs to fervently observe 2011 Mleingyi in the spirit of unity and peace. This was stated in a press note issued by Lungda Nring Chairman, JPN.
