Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Luira Phanit

The Luira Phanit is the biggest cultural festival of the Tangkhul Naga Tribe. I had the opportunity to witness and cover the festival which was held in Pune this Sunday.  


Before the program started, all were served with lunch. Those who love Naga food will enjoy it.



One of the guests interacting with the host.



The program started off with the seed sowing ceremony which was performed by young boys and girls. 



These guys with the spears were very agile. The way they were jumping off the ground, I thought they would not need a running start for the Fosbury Flop. (if they ever took part) 



This was part of the dance. Could be that the guard is keeping his ear to the ground to detect any approaching threat.



Seen here is Rock Lungleng the event co-ordinator receiving one of the guests.



I enjoyed the strumming and the singing by these couple. Most of them were folk songs. 

Omega Phazang and Singyophy Hongchui

Vareiya, Pampamloi, Depend, Timdharla

Rafealla Pheirim and Gilbert Ragui

Mr & Mrs Yarngam Phazang

Guru Rewben Mashangva is known as the king of the Naga folk blues. He has a way with the audience and keeps them engaged with a few jokes here and there. 


Then came the competitive games and what better way than to start off with the pork eating competition. 



As per the compere, last year’s champ has retained the title, and guess what the prize was ? One more free round of pork !!!  While he was munching the prize, he casually remarked that he was the champ in 2016 too. 


There was this guy doing the stand up comedy. Even though I did not get the jokes, I could see that the audience were in splits.  



The sighui kaphung (wooden stick race) may look simple but locking the stick with the legs and walking with the hands is no easy task. 


Hopping on one leg and knocking off the opponent was a matter of wits combined with a little bit of force. The last one standing was declared the winner. 


For the arm twisting, there were some girls too who were willing to try out their muscle power.  


Bare hand wrestling was for the tough guys and our pork eating champ tried his might here too. 


The first session closed with a round of tug of war. I am sure all of them had blisters on their hands on the next day (at least those who tried real hard) 




 The Gents winning Team

The Ladies winning Team

There was a break and the evening session started off with rock music.




Phapha Gachul and Rewben took over and rendered some good folk music. You can see her performance in the video.


Incidentally  Phapha was Miss Manipur in 2016 


She also did the choreography for the Fashion show.


 I got some pics of them on stage





 but the one I got off stage was better (maybe because most of them were smiling)


There were more singers and more stand up comedies. I liked Thangmeiso Shinglai's style of singing. He also made it a point to interact with the audience. 




A special mention should be made about the compares who did a good job of holding the program together.




As the program was winding up I saw this mother tying her baby to the back. Such a simple procedure with the baby snug and secure and the mother happy to have both her hands free.  



Made a seven minute video on the games. More videos coming up.  
Meanwhile here is a one minute Trailer on the complete episode.





28 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Such an interesting and different cultural experience! YAM xx

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing this interesting festival.

vina said...

lovely...must keep the culture alive

JFM said...

Such a happy and colorful festival!!!
Beautiful photos...thank you for sharing.
Thank you for stopping by my blog 💮

Patsy Irene (Chillin' with Patsy) said...

What a beautiful celebration! It looks like everyone is enjoying themselves. Nice to see the girls also taking part in what for years seemed to be a men's event.

wisps of words said...

That was a full day/night of fun!!!!!!!

Amy Purdy said...

This festival looks very entertaining. Your pictures and video really brought it to life for me. I would have loved to try their food.

Amy Purdy said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot Joe. Feel proud of your passion - Sanjay Bhave

Lido said...

Very interesting festival...this publicity should definitely bring more people next year

RO said...

I love learning about new cultures and your fabulous pictures made me feel as if I was right there! Hugs...RO

Anonymous said...

You have nicely presented this unique cultural highlights. Very thankful for the sharing.

Anonymous said...

Joe, I always admire you for providing some unique shots or events you cover and we get an opportunity to see and enjoy. Thanks - Dilip Kanitkar

Dee said...

This festival brings home to me the Oneness of All Creation--that thousands of miles apart, a group of people are celebrating a festival so much like the Native American festivals here in the United States. Song and dance and costumes and game and food and all that makes up a celebration of a people.

Thank you for sharing this. Peace.

orvokki said...

Looks very exotic festival. It would be nice to be there too.
Have a nice weekend.

DMS said...

Wow- I have never been to a festival quite like that. I really enjoyed the video and learning about a different culture. Beautiful music. Those games look hard!

Thanks for sharing.
~Jess

Anonymous said...

Superb.... didn't know that they had this colourful culture. Music is too good. You lucky Pune people - Liza George

Anonymous said...

Oh my my!! I am so looking forward to attending all the music festivals around the country this year!! So glad you covered this!!! - Arthur Fernandes

Jeannette said...

I didn't recognize the name of these people but I saw in their faces and clothing beauty I've known through other peoples from Burma. So I went and read a little to add to the lovely coverage you gave to this festival.
thanks Joe!

Anonymous said...

Great. Where was it in Pune? - Pravin Dhande

Haddock said...

@ Pravin Dhande - This was held at the Bishop's School football ground (camp)

Anonymous said...

Such a vibrant and active community - Roshan George

Anonymous said...

This looks like a wonderful festival. - Rowena Helton Zimmerman

RO said...

Just peeking in to say hello! Hugs...RO

New Release Books said...

Sounds like a wonderful festival!

A Cuban In London said...

Wow, you've given us a very interesting historical and cultural lesson here. :-)

Thanks.

Greetings from London.

New Release Books said...

What an interesting post. Its so intriguing to read about all different cultural rituals.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand what the song says. But, I like the song and their performance. Sound clearity is also too good. Love from Mizoram.- Lalrin Mawia