Kohima, March 1 (MExN): The Tangkhuls living in Kohima Town celebrated their seed sowing festival Luira Phanit on February 22 in the premises of Tangkhul Baptist Church Kohima with great pomp and show. A note from Ngathingkhui Yangya stated that young and old participated with their colourful traditional dresses and costumes.
The more impressive, the note said, was the displaying of different colourful dresses and costumes, different varieties of seeds, crown, spear, copper staff (especially used by women) etc on the wall of the podium in order to let the young children know the culture of the society. The events of the day were pork eating competition and lottery. Sorei Raman, community elder and proprietor of Mount Hermon School, Kohima was the chief guest of the celebration.
The note mentioned that Luira Phanit is celebrated by Tangkhuls in the month of January/February every year to invoke blessings from God. Actual time of celebration slightly varies from zone to zone or area to area. The festival is celebrated in the beginning of the year before the seeds for different crops are sown in the field in order to get bountiful harvest. After the festival, the village head will first sow the seeds in his field followed by the remaining villagers. It is forbidden to sow seeds ahead of the village head, the note added. As a result, the seeds sown by him usually sprout first.
The festival is usually celebrated for a week. Different cultural activities/items are performed throughout the week. All villagers of all ages, young and old are mandatory to participate in the festival. On the other hand, it said, villagers are restricted to go to their fields during the whole celebration week. If anyone is found going to his/her field within these restricted days, he/she is heavily penalised. Rules and regulations are framed by the village authority to be observed by each and every citizen of the village during the whole week celebration, the note added.
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