Manipur’s five-day Holi festival, hit by violence, is silent and colorless this year

A road in Imphal that would otherwise be crowded during Holi or Yaosam

Imphal/Guwahati/New Delhi:

This year, the violence-hit state of Manipur celebrates a low-key Holi festival, known as Yaosam. It is one of the biggest festivals of the May Tai community, most of whose members are Hindus, and is so big that the May Tai people celebrate Yaosang for five days. Celebrations feature community sports events such as football, marathons, volleyball and the like, which come naturally in a state with world-champion athletes despite its relatively small population.

With more than 50,000 people across the state, including members of the Kuki-Zo tribe, internally displaced and living in deplorable conditions in relief camps, the Meitei community postponed its celebration of the Spring Festival of Colors this year.

Elizabeth Kh, a social sector professional from Manipur, said: “What the Meiteis want is a symbolic Yaosang. This year’s celebrations may be canceled. But Yaosang marks spring, unity , generosity and community work,” told NDTV.

Yaosang is especially popular with children. Every year, they wait patiently for the arrival of Yaosang in order to participate in their favorite holiday event on the first day of the celebration, which they call “Festival”nakaten“. Children dressed in their best clothes go from house to house in the neighborhood, sending blessings to the adults who are waiting for them. In return, the children are given change, which they use to buy candies and share them with each other.

Last year, the Meiteis also did not celebrate another major festival, Ningol Chakouba. Ningol Chakouba after Diwali is similar to Bhai Dooj, except in Manipur it is brothers who welcome sisters from their matrimonial homes for a grand feast.

The Kuki-Zo tribe also had a somber Christmas last year as people struggled to maintain basic needs in the mountain town isolated from the state capital Imphal.

Some communities in the Imphal Valley, or “leikais” as they are called, do celebrate the arrival of spring and Yaosam by burning straw huts, a ritual similar to the lighting of bonfires on Holi eve or during Holi in other states. While civil society groups asked people not to celebrate Yaosang at a time when thousands have been living in relief camps for 10 months, others said the community should celebrate the festival with those living in the camps.

“Medicine mulberry keeps business booming. Small shops and traders will benefit, while people who are stressed out due to violence can calm their minds with pleasant activities. Despite this situation we are in, children need to be happy. We need Ph.D. Researcher Kaito W told NDTV.

Imphal resident Bikramjit RK, who went to the Bijoy Govinda temple today to see what Yaosang will be like this year, said he is yet to see the “darkest period” Manipur is going through.

“I now feel that living is enough. The people of Manipur have lost their livelihood. We are affected in every aspect – education, economy… Yaosang is an important festival. For us, it is not just A festival of colors; it is also an important festival,” Mr. Rajkumar, 28, who works in a private company, told New Delhi TV by phone from Imphal.

“The central government has not taken any initiative to bring normalcy back to Manipur. The Prime Minister’s silence shows how neglected we, the people of Manipur, are,” he added.

Members of the Meitei community, the majority of whom are Hindu, pray on the first day of the five-day Yaosang or Holi festival (File photo)

Those who want to celebrate Yaosang also say the festival will bring booming business to small shops that have been suffering from dust and losses in the past few months. The same sentiment was strong during last year’s Ningol Chakouba. They said some resumption of economic activity would be one of the first important steps towards normalization.

But calls from civil society groups and influential individuals to reduce celebrations to a minimum or not at all appear to be gaining traction with most Meitei people, according to sports consultant and talent scout William Meitei acceptance.

“Manipur’s decision not to participate in Holi celebrations is a solemn recognition of the gravity of the situation and a strong expression of solidarity with those affected by the violence. Holi in Manipur lasts for over five days and is not only celebrated , as well as sports events. These events inculcate a winning attitude from an early age and contribute to Manipur’s status as a sports powerhouse,” Mr. Mehtai told NDTV.

He added: “Amid the struggles faced by the Meitei people and the pressing issues of displacement, illegal activities and cultural integrity, celebrating the holiday seems inappropriate.”

Athokpam Shanta Devi, another resident of Imphal, said her generation has grown up with sweet memories of Holi, but it was the first time in her life that she saw such a silent and colorless Holi. “This is a poignant reminder of the situation in Manipur. Last year it was a dark Diwali and now it is a colorless Holi in Manipur. I request the central government to intervene immediately and restore normalcy,” 42-year-old Ms. Devi said.

For Laikambam Raita, who lives in Delhi, going to Manipur during Yaosang is the most anticipated thing. “My daughter’s school exams are over and this is usually the time when I go to Manipur to celebrate Holi with my family. This time I canceled the trip,” Ms Reeta told New Delhi TV.

Manipur BJP MP Rajkumar Imo Singh posted Holi greetings on microblogging site X but admitted that the festival will not be a bustling one this year. “I wish you all a blessed festival. Although there won’t be many celebrations in Manipur, I hope it brings happiness and prosperity to everyone. Happy Holi,” he said.

I wish all drug dealers good luck. Although there won’t be many celebrations in Manipur, I hope it brings happiness and prosperity to everyone. Happy Holi. pic.twitter.com/l6zLySasUl

— Rajkumar Imo Singh (Modi Ka Parivaar) (@imosingh) March 25, 2024

Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023 between the Kuki-Zo and Meiteis tribes over deep differences over shared land, resources, political representation and affirmative action policies. More than 200 people died in the conflict and thousands were internally displaced. The Kuki-Zo tribe is in majority in the southern hills of Manipur and some other areas, while the Meiteis are in majority in the valley areas.