Poumai Thounii ends amidst cheer

IMPHAL, Jan 11— The four-day-long Poumai Thounii the biggest harvest festival of the Poumai tribes concluded at Liyai villager, bordering Nagaland on January 7 amidst cheering among the villagers. The festival which was formally inaugurated by the Lok Sabha MP Holkhomang Haokip on January 5 was attended by over 15,000 Poumai delegates both from Manipur and Nagaland. On the second day of the Thounii festival, the Speaker of Nagaland Assembly Z Lohe was the chief guest while the rural development minister of Nagaland and deputy commissioner of Senapati district T Panmei attended the gathering as guests of honour. Speaking at the inaugural function, the Lok Sabha MP Holkhomang Haokip said that all the ethnic groups of Manipur have internal links with one another. Stating that the major community ‘Meiteis’ and other hill dwellers such as Nagas or Kukis are all brothers and sisters of this beautiful state, he also called upon the people living in Manipur to maintain peace and harmony. The Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Lohe said the traditional culture found in this region is as good as any other culture by the grace of god. He, however, opined that a culture without honesty and sense of responsibility is not a culture. The Speaker Lohe also expressed his willingness to promote forestry in Liyai area, which borders Nagaland with the people’s participation. The rural development minister of Nagaland and deputy commissioner Senapati district Manipur T Panmei also spoke on the occasion. During the four-day festival, cultural functions were held on January 6 and many programmes such as dances, folk songs, wrestling, indigenous games, music, martial arts, were also organised at various levels. Besides, exhibitions and demonstration of indigenous handloom and handicrafts, brewing of local wine, making of fabrics and clothes, manufacturing of traditional weapons, and other customary items was also held. Apart from displaying cultural shows at the end of the festival, the much-awaited beauty contest of the Poumai belles was organised for a responsive audience. After the traditional and casual rounds of the beauty contests, twenty-two year old Indian Airlines hostess Larshana Maikho was crowned Miss Thounii 2002 amidst clapping and cheering from the crowd, braving the cold winter bites on the slopes of the village. Over 40 cows, 40 buffaloes and 30 pigs were consumed by the 15,000 delegates during the festival, the organisers said.