Women folks presenting Siktuithiang Lam during the Chapchar Kut celebration underway in Mizoram on February 28. (Photo Courtesy: NNN)
Newmai News Network
Aizawl | February 28
The two-day Mizoram’s most significant and biggest festival ‘Chapchar Kut’ began in all parts of the state with fanfare and cultural fervor on Thursday.
The theme of this year's festival is “Zofate Inpumkhatna” or "Unity of all Mizo tribes". The first day of the festival was opened with Chapchar Kut Run early in the morning followed by a function in the forenoon.
In the state capital Aizawl, Information and Public Relations minister, Lalruatkima led the Chapchar Kut Run which was organized in two directions- one from Chandmari Point and the other from Sikulpui Kawn Junction, both which culminated at Lammual (Assam Rifles Ground), where the official function was held to mark the celebrations.
The grand celebration of the festival will be held on Friday in all parts of the state as the government declared public holiday to mark the festival. Chief minister Zoramthanga will grace the main celebration at Lammual as “Kut Pa” or father of the festival, while Art and Culture minister, R. Lalzirliana will be the “Kut Thelngtu” or host of the festival.
Thousands of people from different walks of life, dressed in traditional attires thronged Lammaul here on Thursday where different cultural items depicting the unique Mizo identity were exhibited to mark the celebrations.
Addressing the celebration at Lammual, R. Lalzirliana, who was the Kut Pa on the occasion, called for unity of all "Mizo tribes" living in different parts of India and the world. He said that Chapchar Kut belongs to all "Mizo tribes", who trace their origin to Chhinlung (Sinlung), the most accepted ancestral home of the Mizo believed to be somewhere in China.
According to Lalzirliana, the theme of the festival “Zofate inpumkhatna” was carefully chosen by the organizing committee to strengthen the brotherhood, blood and cultural ties of different "Mizo tribes".
He then urged the Mizo people to value their cultures and traditions, and also retain Mizos' moral code of conduct- Tlawmngaina, an essence of Mizo culture resembling to “selfless service” in any place they live.
As a part of Chapchar Kut celebration, Art Exhibition, Museum Exhibition and Photo Exhibition, were organized.
Zo descendants from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur also attended the event.