Mera Hou Chongba Thousil Lup, Sana Konung on Tuesday informed that this year's Mera Houchongba festival, a traditional customary festival of all ethnic groups, would held on coming October 17 at Sana Konung and Kangla, Imphal.
"Only indigenous communities will be allowed to take part in the customary festival," the lup stated.
Speaking to the media at the Department of Art and Culture office, Palace Compound, lup convenor Mutum Maniton stated that Mera Houchongba was traditional customary festival which has been celebrated since time immemorial.
"The main objective of the festival has been to strengthen the cordial bond between the hills and valley people," he said.
He exhorted youths to participate in the festival and promote affable relationship between all the indigenous communities in Manipur.
"This year's festival will host around 23 indigenous communities with their respective leaders. As many as 120 cultural troops from will perform in the festival out of which nine will be from the hills," he said.
He highlighted that various cultural performances from Andro, Sugnu and Anal Chanu Jagoi, Leima Jagoi, Pena, Pung Cholom among others would be showcased during the festival.
"The function would kick off from Sana Konung around eight in the morning and head towards Kangla to perform the Mera Wayungba flag hoisting ceremony. After that, there will 'Yenkhong Tamba' followed by exchange of gifts between the hills and valley brethren," he said.
He further stated that the main official programme attended by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba would begin around 12.30 pm after all the rituals are finished.
