IMPHAL October 19 (NNN): The auspicious post-harvest festival of the Mate tribe, “Chang-Kut” was observed at Tengnoupal village of Chandel district, one of the oldest villages premdominantly inhabited by the Mates.
The annual observation of the festival began under the initiative of Houlim Loikhom Mate and his villagers after he had migrated from Loutei village of Ukhrul district. This year’s celebration was declared open by Pastor Th Chongloi of Tengnoupal.
Gojendro, SDO Tengnoupal; Ingocha, SDC Tengnoupal; Yullli Anal, AC Chandel; Thongkhohou Mate, President of Mate Tribe Union; Barun, Adjutant 24 AR and Dharmendra, RMO 24 AR were among the special guests at the festival.
The celebration was led by special guests for two sessions – noon and night. The noon session showcased cultural programmes and activities while the night session was all about entertainment like contest of Miss, Mr and Mrs Chang-Kut.
Chang-Kut was observed for two days in the past with the village priests chanting the rituals and declaring the village as clean from customary laws and taboos. Women collected the best food grains and brewed them into rice wine. The Mates believe that the festival marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new year.