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(THE GIST OF PIB) Mera Hou Chongba Festival

(OCTOBER-2024)

Recently, people in Manipur celebrated the Mera Hou Chongba festival symbolizing unity amongst the indigenous people.

It is an annual festival observed in order to strengthen the cordial bond between the indigenous communities living in hills and valley people.
It is only a festival wherein both hills and valley indigenous communities are observed together in the State
This festival has been celebrated right from the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in the first Century C.E.
Every year, in the month of Mera, which falls in September/October, this festival is celebrated, in which all the village Chiefs or Khullakpas and peoples from the surrounding hill areas fully take part
The royal palace officials share the same dias as the multiple village chiefs from communities such as Mao, Kabui, Zeme, Kom, Liangmei, and many more.
The main function of Mera Hou Chongba festival is the exchange of gifts between the King and village Chiefs and performance of cultural shows and sports.