An annual traditional ceremonial day of the Meitei or Meetei community in Manipur called ‘Kwak tanba’ or Kwak jatra’ was held in Imphal on Monday.
The ceremonial day which involves a series of rituals, also called ‘loidam kumsaba’, is celebrated on the 10th of Manipuri lunar calendar every year.
During the observance of the rituals, the king of Manipur sets free a crow to bring back prosperity and good luck for the people in the state. After the crow is set free by the king, one of the high ranked priests ‘lalon hanjaba’ would predict the economy for the year based on the direction the crow flew.
This year, the ritual ceremony, organised by the ‘Sana konung’ (Royal palace) and Uttra Shanglen, was held at the Youth community hall of Wangkhei Angom Leikai. The ceremony began early morning and the ritual was conducted by titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, who is also Rajya Sabha MP.
High ranks of the Sana konung, priest, priestess, king of Angom clan and deputed singers of the royal palace attended the ceremony.