The traditional festival of Mera Houchongba was celebrated at Sana Konung and Kangla on Thursday, bringing together diverse ethnic communities from both the hills and the valleys of Manipur.
Organised by the State Level Organising Committee for Mera Houchongba 2024, the event attracted notable figures, including Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, who served as the chief guest, along with various cabinet ministers, MLAs, village leaders, and representatives from Sana Konung.
The festivities commenced with a morning procession from Sana Konung to Kangla, where a series of ritual ceremonies, including ‘Men Tongba’ and ‘Yenkhong Tamba,’ were conducted at Kangla Uttra.
The afternoon session featured gift exchanges between participants from the hill and valley regions, alongside cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions of various ethnic groups.
In his address, MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, who is also the titular king of Manipur, emphasised the uniqueness of Mera Houchongba, highlighting its rarity becoming the only festival which is celebrated by people of both hills and valley in Manipur.
He expressed hope that the event would strengthen unity and solidarity among the state’s diverse communities. “Let this age-old festival bind us as one,” he urged, calling on the people of Manipur to fight together for a brighter and more peaceful future.
Participants from the hill regions echoed this sentiment, expressing their commitment to enhancing the relationships between the communities of the hills and valleys.
