Imphal: Owing to the unceasing ethnic strife besetting Manipur, NingolChakkouba, the biggest festival of Manipuri women may not be celebrated inearnest. Noticeably, many individuals and
locals organisations in the state have taken their decision not to
celebrate Chakkouba this time.
Hordes of Meitei civil bodies of the state also appealed to forgo the
festival that falls on November 15 taking into account the unstable
state of affairs triggered by the violence.
On Chakkouba day, the age-old festival, Meitei women, particularly the marriedones, in their best traditional attires, move to their natal
homes and enjoy multi dishes with their parents and siblings.
With simple gifts and blessings given by their parents and brothers,
the Ningols (women) return home with high spirits.
Entertainment programmes like music concerts, Shumang Leela (courtyard theatre)etc. are also held on Chakkouba day.
The festival has encompassed other communities since the last few decades,standing as testimony of love, unity and integration in the state. An irony towhat is happening with over 175 people killed, 1108 injured and rendered around 60,000homeless and sheltered in relief camps. Over thousands of houses and otherproperties have been destroyed since the ethnic conflict broke on May 3.
“Had there been no violence in our state we would have by now
planned everything for the ensuing Ningol Chakkouba like the fish
menu for the family feasting and the simple gift items to be given to
our married daughters and beloved Ningols (women),” said Saikhom
Ongbi Tombi Devi, a resident of Thangmeiband area in Imphal West
district.
“When the bereaved families are weeping for their near and dear ones killed,injured and maimed in the unceasing conflict, when the
people whose houses and properties were destroyed by miscreants and takingrefuge at relief camps and when the people are bearing the brunt of the publicunrest, there will be no happiness in Ningol
Chakkouba. Hence, we have decided to forgo the festival this time,” she added.
Commenting in line with Tombi, Premjit Singh from Imphal East district saidthat he is not in the mood to celebrate Chakkouba and
hence resolved not to invite his married sisters for the coming
Chakkouba.
Keisham Ongbi Aruna, a former journalist from Konba Laishram Leikai in the samedistrict, too said that she would not celebrate Chakkouba .
“Chakkouba is the time of merriment and jovial for Manipuri women, but celebratingthe day this time is not appropriate when many people are affected by theongoing strife. Moreover, many civil bodies have also appealed to forgo theensuing Chakkouba.
Showing solidarity with the victims, wewill not celebrate this time,” she added.
The World Meitei Council (WMC), one of the apex civil bodies of the
Meiteis, keeping in mind the current situation gripping Manipur, has
appealed to all members of the community living across the globe to
show solidarity with the victims of the conflict and not celebrate
‘Ningol Chakouba’ this year.
A WMC release said that ever since the Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, the
Burmese invasion of Manipur from 1819 to 1826 (seven years of
devastation), the Meiteis have not experienced such widespread
destruction and devastation in the current strife.
This crisis resulted in the loss of many precious lives and the displacement ofthousands of families, particularly in Churachandpur, Moreh in Tengnoupal andKangpokpi, districts and the adjacent surrounding areas along the hills, itsaid.
Following an appeal made by a local civil body of Kakching Khunou in
Kakching district against celebrating Ningol Chakkouba and other
festivals in the area, the locals have taken their decision not to
celebrate the festival.
At this point of time, it vital to share the grief and pangs of the
victims and not to indulge in any festivities, said S Tomba, convenor
of the body.
A Meira Paibi Lup (women vigilante group) leader of Wangoo area in
Bishnipur district bordering Churachandpur also appealed to all to
refrain from celebrating Ningol Chakkouba in the state until normalcy
is restored and the displaced people lead a settled life at their
respective native places.
It is not the right time to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba when thousands are goingthrough pains and sufferings owing to the crisis, she added.
Two bodies of Kyamgei areas in Imphal East -The Peace and Integrity
Committee Kiyamgei (PICK) and All Kiyamgei Nupi Chaokhat Thourang Lup (AKNCTL) – havealso decided to forego Ningol Chakkouba celebrations this year, showingsolidarity with the untold suffering of the people.
In Jiribam district bordering Assam, three bodies of the area – Jiri
Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (JIMPAL), Jiri Development Organisation
(JDO) and United Jiri Youth League (UJYL)- have also appealed to the
people of the district to scale down the upcoming celebrations- Durga
Puja, Ima Panthoibi Erat Thouram, Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba – in
view of the prevailing chaotic situation in the state.
