In the northeastern state of Manipur, the arrival of Cheiraoba marks the beginning of the new year according to the traditional Meitei calendar, the day is also known as "Sajibu Nongma Panba" - which means day 1 of Sajibu month. This auspicious day, celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm, embodies the spirit of renewal and new beginnings. Families come together to usher in the new year with joyous festivities and, of course, a lavish feast that showcases the rich culinary heritage of Manipur.
The Significance of Cheiraoba:
Cheiraoba, which translates to "the beginning of the year," holds deep cultural and religious significance for the people of Manipur. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and setting intentions for the year ahead. The day is marked by prayers and rituals at home and local temples, seeking blessings for prosperity, happiness, and good fortune in the coming year. On this day, the people starts the prayers and rituals with Firoi Fingam Thonba - changing of new cloths and Athenpot Kaba which by offering fruits, vegetables, rice and other uncooked food items and flowers of the new season to the deity Lainingthou (the King of the supreme Lord) Sanamahi and Leimarel (Sanamahi's mother) in every Meetei household as a temple who follows Sanamahi religion.
Celebrating with Family and Food:
Central to the Cheiraoba celebration is the gathering of family and loved ones. Homes are adorned with colorful decorations, and the air is filled with laughter and joy as relatives come together to share in the festivities, sending warm greetings. At the heart of the celebration is the traditional feast, where an array of delectable dishes are prepared to delight the senses and symbolize abundance and prosperity.
The Feast of Abundance:
The Cheiraoba feast is a culinary extravaganza that showcases the diversity and richness of Manipuri cuisine. From savory curries and aromatic rice dishes to sweet delicacies and refreshing beverages, the spread is nothing short of spectacular. Traditional favorites like Nga Thongba (spicy fish), Eromba (mix seasonal vegetables mashed with ngari), Chamthong (vegetable stew), and Kangsoi (spicy vegetable soup) take center stage, accompanied by an assortment of side dishes, chutneys, and pickles.
Bringing Communities Together:
Cheiraoba is not just a celebration within individual families but also a time for communities to come together and strengthen bonds of kinship and camaraderie. Neighborhoods organize communal feasts, where everyone is welcome to partake in the festivities and share in the abundance of food and goodwill. In the ancient days of independent kingdom of Kangleipak, Cheiraoba festival is celebrated for 6 days, the following 5 days after Cheiraoba are called "Silhenba" which translates to "Suspension of work", giving more time for community gathering and strengthening the bonds between the communities. Married women also visit their maternal homes along with gifts for their family and relatives in order to wish them good luck, healthy and prosperity.
Looking Ahead with Hope:
As the day draws to a close and the Cheiraoba festivities wind down, there is a sense of optimism and anticipation for the year ahead. After the feast, people used to climb hilltops to worship the deity on this new year of the Meiteis, seeking blessings for prosperity and success in the coming months. With hearts full of gratitude and bellies full of delicious food, the people of Manipur welcome the new year with open arms, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. They believe that with this auspicious start, they are blessed with more perspective and will achieve greater heights in life.
The Night Time:
During the night-time festivities of Cheiraoba, the New Year celebration reaches its crescendo with the vibrant tradition of 'Thabal Chongba.' This traditional folk dance brings communities together as locals gather at various locales to dance under the starry sky. With lively music and spirited movements, participants immerse themselves in the joyous spirit of the festival, reveling in the jubilant atmosphere of the New Year. Thabal Chongba serves as a colorful expression of unity and celebration, as people dance with abandon, marking the beginning of a new chapter with boundless happiness and camaraderie.
In Conclusion:
Cheiraoba is more than just a new year celebration—it is a time-honored tradition that brings communities together in joyous celebration and reflection. Through prayers, rituals, and a sumptuous feast shared with family and friends, the people of Manipur usher in the new year with hope, optimism, and a deep appreciation for the blessings of life.
What is Cheiraoba?
Cheiraoba marks the beginning of the new year according to the traditional Meetei lunar calendar in Kangleipak, the day is also known as "Sajibu Nongma Panba" - which means day 1 of Sajibu month, it mainly falls in late March or early April. The literal meaning: Chei comes from the word Cheihei which translates to year, Raoba comes from the word Laothokpa meaning declare or announce and Cheiraoba translates to "Announcement of New Year".
Why Announcement of New Year?
In the early days of the kingdom of Kangleipak, the heads of four pana heads of the kingdom were ordered to announce for new year to all the citizens of the kingdom by holding a stick, later four pana heads was replaced by one man and recognized as Cheithaba. Why holding stick? The ancient kingdom used to count number system using Chei (stick), the suffix "Hei" in Cheihei which derived to Chahi (Year) means result. So, holding sticks while announcing signify the result of completing a set of sets of sticks which fulfilled a year.
What is the Meetei Calendar Year of Manipur in 2024?
The year 2024 is reckoned as the year 3422 in Meetei Calendar Year of Kangleipak (Manipur) which is 1398 years ahead of Christ. In 2024, Meetei Calendar Sajibu Nongma Panba, is on Tuesday, April 9.
Why celebration of Cheiraoba?
The festival is celebrated to strengthen the relations or bonds of love and brotherhood among families, relatives, neighbors and different communities and there is a sense of optimism and anticipation for the year ahead.
What do people eat on Cheiraoba day?
Traditional favorites like Nga Thongba, Eromba, Peruk Chamfut, and Kangsoi take center stage, accompanied by an assortment of side dishes.
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