Monyu Festival

The Phom Monyu festival is originally celebrated for 6 days beginning from 1st to 6th of April every year This is a spring festival normally observed after the sowing is done in paddy fields This is to invoke Gods blessing to have a bountiful harvest Monyu also marks the end of winter and the onset of the monsoon season Traditionally it is also a time of jubilation sharing of love and concern with relatives and friends by the exchange of gifts rice beer meat and various food items and also by making merriment Wealthy ones and warriors also exhibited social status by dressing and family members with unique attires during the Monyu festival Monyu is also the time when young boys and girls would be taught the customary practices Folk songs and dances would be taught during Monyu It is also the time when young boys renew the curtail relationship with their close friends by inviting them to have feast which is called MONGCHEMBA HAHYING        The first day SHONGTEN LAIPHEN On this day plantain leaves and bamboos for steaming food items are collected The second day AIHA OKSHOK On this day each peer groups get together to celebrate the feast by killing their jointly bought animals The third dayCHINGI OKSHOK On this day every family that has animal be slaughtered for the celebration of the festival The fourth day YENTHIU Which means arrival of guest relatives and friends from far and near come and feast together The fifth day CHINGTHEM The whole community members celebrate the feast by singing dancing drinking rice beer beating log drum The sixth day YENYAN This is the closing day and dispersal day In this way the Monyu festival of PHOMS is celebrated with great significant Monyu is the time when sisters and daughters who are married are reminded that they are still honoured and cared for they would be invited to parents or brothers house to celebrate the feast together And many gifts food items thigh of the animal slaughtered in the festival would be given to them This is called the NYIUKHA MOO Married daughters or sisters will prepare a special food items and distribute to the elders of the clan to show their love and honour and also take the blessing from the elderly people Monyu is seen as synthesis of traditional and modern sails Hence it is important to mention that in an age where rapid change is taking place in every dimension of our lives The PhomNaga youngster also continues to make every effort for the preservation and development of our rich cultural heritage