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YAOSHANG FESTIVAL

Why in news?

Recently, The five-day-long Yaoshang festival, Manipur’s version of Holi, has begun.

About:

  • Yaosang is a festival celebrated in Manipur for five days in spring, starting on the full moon day of the month of Lamda (February–March).
  • Yaosang is indigenous traditions of the Meitei people. It is considered the most important festival in Manipur.
  • Yaoshang begins just after sunset followed by Yaosang Mei thaba, also known as Burning of the Straw Hut. Children visit neighbours to ask for monetary donations, called nakatheng.
  • Yaoshang, unlike Holi, is celebrated with a traditional twist in Manipur. During these five days Manipur comes alive with sporting events during the day and traditional “thabal chongba” dance in the night.
  • Thousands of people took to the streets to demand the immediate inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list on Sunday.
  • The thabal chongba is a traditional dance of the Meitei, where boys and girls gathered in an open ground and dance in a circle.
  • But these days thabal chongba is performed throughout the month of Lamta. Business activities and public transportation come to a grinding halt during Yaoshang. All educational institutions, both private and government, will also remain shut.

 

 

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/manipur/yaoshang-festival-begins-in-manipur-8484747/