Festivals of North-East India – UPSC Notes – Art and Culture

The festivals in North East India showcase the rich and diverse culture of the region, with many celebrations centered around agriculture, Buddhism, and the commencement of the New Year.

North-East India Festivals

• Cultural Bonding: These festivities offer an excellent opportunity for people from different tribes to foster strong bonds.
• Celebratory Elements: The celebrations are marked by delectable delicacies, unique costumes, heartfelt music, kind hospitality, and a lively ambiance.
• Rich Customs and Faiths: In rural North East India, diverse tribes and sub-tribes vividly portray their rich customs and faiths during these festivals.
• Hornbill Festival: The Hornbill Festival, held annually in Nagaland, stands out as the largest and most well-known festival in the region.
• Promotion of Culture: Each festival serves as a significant platform to showcase the unique culture, dance, and music of the state and its people.
• Preservation of Traditions: Despite being relatively new events, these festivals are carefully curated to promote and preserve ancient traditions.

Hornbill Festival

The Hornbill Festival stands out as a significant agricultural celebration in Nagaland, marked by an annual week-long event commencing on December 1st. Bringing together various Naga tribes, the festival converges at the Kisama Heritage Village, providing a platform for tribes to showcase their talents and cultural richness through attire, weaponry, traditional tools, and clan headgears.

Named after the prominent Indian bird featured in tribal folklore, the Hornbill Festival was established by the state government in 2000. Its primary aims include fostering interaction among tribes, highlighting Nagaland’s cultural heritage, and creating opportunities for cultural exchange. The event serves as a momentous occasion for tribes to unite and for the younger generation to establish cultural connections.

Beyond the main festivities, the Kohima Night Bazaar adds to the celebrations by featuring craft exhibitions. The event also hosts engaging competitions like the pork eating and King Chilli eating contests, contributing to the overall vibrancy and diversity of the Hornbill Festival.

Saga Dawa Festival

This celebration is essential for Buddhist communities in Sikkim.

• It happens on the full moon day during the Tibetan lunar month (Saga Dawa) and is considered a lucky day for the Tibetan community.
• The month, falling between May and June, is known as Saga Dawa or the “Month of Merits.”
• The event honors significant moments in the Buddha’s life, like his birth, enlightenment, and death (parinirvana).
• During this time, people go to monasteries to offer incense sticks, dhog, and water.
• Participants walk around the monastery’s Gompas, chanting mantras and reciting religious texts, and spin prayer wheels.
• Throughout Saga Dawa, the Buddhist community follows three teachings: generosity (dana), morality (sila), and meditation or cultivating positive sentiments (Bhavana).
• It’s a time for thinking about spirituality and following these teachings among practitioners.

Losoong Festival

• The Losoong celebration marks the Sikkimese New Year and is observed annually in December across the state of Sikkim.
• Given the prominence of agriculture in Sikkim, the festival becomes a joyous occasion for farmers and various occupational groups during the harvest season.
• Although traditionally associated with the Bhutia tribe, the festival has evolved to be celebrated with equal enthusiasm by the Lepchas.
• A unique aspect of the festival is the consumption of locally brewed wine called Chaang as part of the festivities.
• Festivities also include gatherings in monasteries where traditional dances like the Cham Dance and the Black Hat Dance are performed.
• Reflecting the martial ideals of the Sikkimese community, the festival features events such as Archery celebrations.

Bihu Festival

• Bohag Bihu stands out as one of Assam’s most significant celebrations, specifically held to mark the Assamese New Year.
• Despite the Assamese celebrating Bihu three times a year, Bohag Bihu holds particular importance among them.
• The three Bihu festivals are:
  • Bohag or Rongali Bihu
  • Kati or Kongali Bihu
  • Maagh or Bhogali Bihu
• Traditionally linked to changing seasons and harvests, Bohag Bihu is a multi-day celebration starting on April 14th and varying in duration from a week to almost a month, depending on villages and tribes.
• On the first day, known as ‘Gora Bihu,’ the festival kicks off with a ceremonial bath and feeding of cows and bulls, crucial to the community’s livelihood.
• The second day marks the primary Bihu celebration, where people exchange greetings and share Gamosa (a handwoven cotton towel) with relatives.
• Pitha, a traditional meal comprising rice powder, flour, sesame, coconut, and jaggery, is prepared in households.
• The festivities also include platforms where men and women from diverse cultures come together to perform the vibrant Bihu Dance.

Cheiraoba Festival

• Celebrated as the Manipuri tribes’ New Year, this festival is observed across the entire state of Manipur and typically falls in April, with the first day referred to as Sajibu.
• The event is closely tied to the worship of the household deity Sanamahi, a significant figure in Manipuri culture.
• While the traditional venue for the celebration is the Sanamahi temple, households engage in various preparations, including cleaning, acquiring new utensils, and purchasing new clothes for family members.
• A unique tradition during the Cheiraoba celebration involves the selection of a person as the ‘Chahitaba.’ This individual assumes responsibility for the community’s sins and plays a role in determining the fortunes, good and bad, for the entire year. The Maiba community selects this person after consulting horoscopes.
• An intriguing custom associated with the festival is the practice of many people climbing nearby hills on this day, symbolizing their aspirations to reach greater heights in their worldly lives.

Kharchi Puja

• Originating from the state of Tripura, Kharchi Puja, initially a holiday for Tripura’s royal family, has evolved to be celebrated by ordinary homes as well.
• This annual event spans ten days during July each year.
• The celebration is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who commanded the worship of 14 other deities.
• These fourteen deities are housed at the Puran Haveli in Old Agartala, drawing thousands of pilgrims annually who come to pay their respects.
• In addition to the religious observances, the temple committee organizes cultural programs and fairs for the benefit of the general public, adding a festive and communal aspect to the occasion.

Kang Chingba

• Kang Chingba stands out as one of the most significant Hindu festivals in the state of Manipur.
• Comparable to the ‘Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra,’ this festival has deep-rooted traditions and is celebrated annually over eight days in July.
• At the heart of the event is the Rath Yatra, a re-enactment of Lord Jagannath’s journey with his brothers Balabhadra and Subhadra.
• Drawing thousands of devotees from across India, the Yatra commences at the renowned holy temple of Sri Govindajee in Imphal.
• The idols, intricately wood-carved and lavishly decorated, are transported on massive chariots called ‘Kang.’
• After the Rath Yatra, these deities are taken to another temple, where devotees engage in night-long dancing to commemorate the divine journey. The festival brings together spiritual fervor, cultural richness, and communal celebration.

Wangala Festival

• Celebrated primarily by the main Garo Tribe in Meghalaya, the Wangala festival signifies the onset of winter and pays homage to the post-harvest season.
• The festivities unfold in Asanang, near Tura in the Garo Hills, occurring annually in the second week of November.
• Dedicated to ‘Misi Saljong,’ a local deity revered for generosity and considered the driving force behind the community’s prosperity, the celebration involves various rituals.
• The village leader, known as the “Nokma,” conducts ceremonies a day before the event, including ritual sacrifices to the deity.
• Offerings to Misi Saljong include freshly brewed beer, cooked rice, and vegetables. A distinctive aspect of the festival is the significance of music in the celebrations.
• Featuring drums, flutes, and other orchestra instruments, it is famously known as the ‘100 Drum Wangala festival‘ due to the thunderous drum noises marking its commencement.
• The day is further distinguished by the vibrant costumes worn by participants, including feathered headgear that symbolizes their clan colors, adding a unique and visually captivating element to the celebration.

Sekrenyi Festival

• Celebrated by the Angami tribe of Nagaland, the Sekrenyi festival takes place in February, specifically falling on the 25th of the ‘Kezei’ month.
• Extending for over ten days, it is alternatively known as ‘Phousanyi‘ among the Angamis.
• Each day of the festival involves distinct tasks:
  • The ritual begins with cleaning the well, guarded by local youth to prevent unauthorized use.
  • On the first day, all men, irrespective of age, participate in the ‘Dzuseva‘ rite, bathing in the village well.
  • Following the bathing ceremony, a symbolic act involves strangling a cock with bare hands, believed to ward off evil spirits. The way the cock falls, especially if the right leg drops first, is considered auspicious.
  • A dead bird is then displayed outside the house, and village elders inspect it.
  • The fourth day marks the commencement of singing and feasting, continuing for the next three days. Young people gather to sing songs, and a communal feast with rice beer and pork is organized.
  • On the seventh day, young men embark on hunting trips to nearby forests, while the eighth day sees the village come together for the bridge-pulling or gate-pulling ceremony.
• Notably, all fieldwork is halted during the festival, resuming on the tenth day. The Sekrenyi Festival encapsulates a rich blend of rituals, communal activities, and cultural traditions.

Ambubachi Mela

• Conducted on the grounds of the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam.
• The celebration occurs in June and is regarded as one of the most significant festivals in North-East India, often referred to as the “Mahakumbh of the East.”
• Historically linked to fertility practices, many followers attend to seek the Goddess’ blessing, particularly for the birth of a child.
• The temple has been a source of controversy due to reported Tantric practices during the mela.
• The patron Goddess Kamakhya is believed to undergo her annual menstrual cycle during the celebration, leading to the closure of the temple for three days, considering it impure.
• Thousands of followers gather at the Goddess’s shrine upon the temple’s reopening.
• During this period, instances of Tantrik activities are said to be frequent, involving the execution of peculiar rites. The Ambubachi Mela embodies a blend of religious devotion, cultural significance, and controversial practices.

Majuli Festival

• This is one of the most contemporary celebrations celebrated in Majuli, Assam.
• The event is held in November since it is the ideal time of year in Assam due to the varying climatic conditions.
• During the festival, the Department of Culture under the State Ministry of Assam organises various events such as seminars that showcase the traditional history and glory of Assam in general, and Majuli in particular.
• Furthermore, the celebration is held on a grand scale in an open space known as Namghar.
• Majuli and Assam ethnic delicacies are on display and for sale.
• Several arts and crafts, such as bamboo items, shawls, and beaded jewellery, are for sale.
• Some well-known artists have also been invited to exhibit their work and hold public demonstrations.
• During the opening and closing ceremonies, the local patron deity is also invoked.
• Several dance and singing events are held for the enjoyment of fairgoers.

Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival

• Celebrated by almost all branches of the Naga tribes.
• Observed across Nagaland and in some Naga-populated areas of Manipur State.
• Occurs following the completion of the harvest season, annually on February 15th.
• Marks the beginning of the seed-sowing season, fostering a connection between Naga tribes’ agricultural and non-agricultural communities.
• Distinguished by extensive celebration, grandeur, and display, aiming to bring communities together and promote the messages of peace and harmony.
• Involves various ceremonies, particularly the blessing of seeds before sowing, with the goal of ensuring a plentiful and disease-free crop.
• Community gatherings include the preparation of diverse delicacies, traditional dances, and the display of tribal or clan colors, contributing to the vibrant and cultural atmosphere of the festival. The Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival is a manifestation of unity, agricultural traditions, and the rich cultural heritage of the Naga tribes.

Dree Festival

• Predominantly observed by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Increasing participation from various tribes in the Dree festival ceremonies.
• Celebrated annually on July 5th, with preparations and ceremonies starting a few days before.
• One of the largest festivals in the Ziro valley, attracting hundreds of people from communities throughout the valley.
• People offer prayers and offerings to four principal Gods: Tamu, Metii, Danyi, and Warning, seeking blessings for a bountiful crop.
• Traditional dances are performed as part of the festival celebrations in the valley.
• A distinctive feature is the distribution of cucumbers to all attendees, symbolizing a successful harvest.
• The festival includes Arunachali food, home-brewed wine, and rice/millet beer, creating a cultural ambiance with a focus on community, harvest, and traditional practices.

Chapchar Kut

• The Chapchar Kut festival is celebrated in Mizoram, India.
• Held in March, it follows the conclusion of the most challenging jhum operation duty, specifically jungle clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning).
• This spring event is marked by fervor and merriment.
• Named after the bamboo, which is cut, dried, burned, and replanted during this harvest celebration.
• The festival features the traditional bamboo dance, Cheraw, predominantly performed by women while men sit on the ground and beat bamboo sticks against each other.
• Amidst symbolic conflicts and drum pounding, various forms of tribal dance performances take place, adding cultural richness to the celebration. The Chapchar Kut festival is a vibrant representation of harvest traditions and cultural heritage in Mizoram.

Mopin Festival

• The Mopin Festival is an agricultural celebration observed by the Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India, specifically the Galo group residing in the East Siang and West Siang districts.
• Mopin serves as the harvest festival for the welcoming Galo tribe, focusing on the worship of the goddess Mopin.
• Celebrated to ward off evil spirits and invoke prosperity and wealth.
• A highlight of the festival is the indigenous folk dance called Popir, performed by young ladies.
• The festival also includes the provision of Apong, a traditional rice wine made by Galo women, adding cultural significance to the event. The Mopin Festival is a blend of agricultural rituals, cultural performances, and spiritual practices for the Galo tribe.

Trogya Festival

• The Trogya Festival, also known as Tawang-Torgya, unfolds annually exclusively at Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
• A three-day monastic celebration embraced by the Monpa tribe, aiming to fend off evil spirits and usher prosperity. The vibrant rituals include holy dances performed by vividly costumed monks in the monastery’s courtyard.

Nongkrem Festival

• The Nongkrem Dance Festival graces the autumn season in Smit, the cultural center of the Khasi Hills.
• Also known as the Ka Pomblang Nongkrem dance, this five-day sacred celebration by the Khasi tribe is a harvest thanksgiving festival featuring traditional dances performed by elegantly attired young men and women.

Moatsu Festival

• Celebrated by the Ao tribe of Nagaland, India, the Moatsu Festival unfolds every first week of May.
• Signifying the conclusion of the planting season, this festival brings immense joy, with various ceremonies centered around the harvest.

Aoling Festival

• The Aoling Festival, observed by the Konyak Naga people of Nagaland, marks the beginning of spring and the new year.
• Despite the Konyak tribe’s history as former headhunters, the festival, held annually after spreading seeds, reflects a more tranquil lifestyle, emphasizing agriculture, local beverages, occasional hunting, and opium use.

Fairs, festivals, traditional dancing, and folk music play a pivotal role in the rich cultural tapestry of tribes. The diverse tribes from different states engage in a myriad of celebrations throughout the year. The festival season stands out as a prime opportunity to delve into the vibrant cultures and traditional clothing of North East India, unveiling the wonders of this previously undiscovered realm. It is during these festivities that the essence of tribal heritage is vividly expressed, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the cultural diversity that thrives in this enchanting region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about North East India and its Festivals:

1. Q: What festival is celebrated in North East India in December?
   • A: The Hornbill Festival is celebrated in the first week of December each year in North East India.
2. Q: Which is the harvest festival of North and East India?
   • A: Wangala is a major harvest festival celebrated in the Northeastern part of India, marking the onset of winter. It is particularly celebrated in states like Assam, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.
3. Q: What are the traditions of North East India?
   • A: Some traditions in North East India include the Nongkrem dance festival celebrated by the Khasi tribe to mark the harvest, Chapchar puja celebrated in Mizoram in March, and various music festivals like NH 7 Weekender and Ziro festival. The Northeast book fair is also held annually in Assam.
4. Q: What is special in North East India?
   • A: North East India is known for its rich wildlife sanctuaries, including Kaziranga National Park famous for the one-horned rhinoceros, Manas National Park, and others. The region is culturally diverse and hosts various festivals showcasing its unique heritage.
5. Q: What is the biggest festival in Northeast India?
   • A: The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is considered the biggest and most well-known celebration in Northeast India. It attracts both Indian and Western tourists.
6. Q: How many festivals are there in North East India?
   • A: Festivals in North East India are diverse, often related to agriculture, Buddhism, or the beginning of a New Year. Many festivals extend over several days and include folk/tribal dance and music, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.

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