Yaosang
Yaaosang[1] is a festival celebrated in spring season starting from the full moon day of Lamda (March) for six whole days by the Manipuris living in the world. Yaosang combines Hindu and indigenous traditions.[2] It is identified with the festival of Holi and is considered the most important festival in Manipur.[3] Thabal chongba, a Manipuri folk dance is performed during this festival. Like Holi, the Hindus of Manipur play with colours during this festival.
Yaosang combines Hindu and indigenous traditions.[4] It is identified with the festival of Holi and is considered the most important festival in Manipur.[5] The festival is celebrated for six days. On the first day of Yaosang, a "Yawol Sang" is made and burnt just after the sunset with a spiritual function in every "Leikai" (village). Just after burning "Yawol Sang", the children ask for money in every house that is called "Nakatheng". On the second and third day, girls go to their relatives for their "nakatheng" and block roads with ropes for collecting money. On the fourth and fifth days, people pour or splash water on one another. Another feature of this festival is the Thabal Chongba (Dancing in the Moonlight). Males from various places will come to the site of the festival and dance with the females by holding on to their hands and moving in circles.
References
- ↑ http://books.google.co.in/books?id=-CzSQKVmveUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=manipur+past+and+present&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PWdvT8PoB4_NrQfr-6WgDg&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=manipur%20past%20and%20present&f=false
- ↑ Singh, Ksh Imokanta (2008). "Religion and Development in North-east India: A sociological understanding" (PDF). Religions and Development Research Programme (University of Birmingham). p. 76. ISBN 0 7044 2655 2. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
However, rather than starting a completely new religious system, their efforts have focused on establishing a parallel culture to counter the Vaisnavite forces, for example observance of Yaosang (their version of Holi) during the same period as the Hindu Holi festival. This movement may try to create a political fissure within the society, but it is very difficult to sort out which elements are purely Hindu and which indigenous, because people have long internalized both elements in their way of life.
- ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (April 1974). "The Public Festivals". The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals and Historical Development (PDF) (Thesis). Australian National University. p. 43. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
The third, and most important, of the Krishnaite festivals is Holi, or, to give it its Manipuri name, Yaosang. This is the greatest of the Manipuri festivals and is celebrated on the full moon of Lamda (FebruaryMarch), lasting for six days.
- ↑ Singh, Ksh Imokanta (2008). "Religion and Development in North-east India: A sociological understanding" (PDF). Religions and Development Research Programme (University of Birmingham). p. 76. ISBN 0 7044 2655 2. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
However, rather than starting a completely new religious system, their efforts have focused on establishing a parallel culture to counter the Vaisnavite forces, for example observance of Yaosang (their version of Holi) during the same period as the Hindu Holi festival. This movement may try to create a political fissure within the society, but it is very difficult to sort out which elements are purely Hindu and which indigenous, because people have long internalized both elements in their way of life.
- ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (April 1974). "The Public Festivals". The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals and Historical Development (PDF) (Thesis). Australian National University. p. 43. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
The third, and most important, of the Krishnaite festivals is Holi, or, to give it its Manipuri name, Yaosang. This is the greatest of the Manipuri festivals and is celebrated on the full moon of Lamda (FebruaryMarch), lasting for six days.