Nestled in the picturesque hills of Ukhrul district, lies the tranquil village of Loree Kaju. Despite its small size and remote location, this village holds a rich cultural heritage that draws visitors from all over the district. This was evident during the recent celebration of Luira Phanit, an annual seed-sowing festival, coupled with Hampai Phanit, (Luta cum 4th Hamlei Panat) which was held from 28 to 30 January.
Connected by the Ukhrul-Jessami National Highway-202, the village is located about 35 kilometers north of Ukhrul district headquarters.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Know thy Roots’, a reminder to the younger generation to stay connected with their cultural identity and to preserve the traditions that have been passed down for generations. The festival was a vibrant display of the village’s indigenous customs, beliefs, and practices, which have remained untouched by the hands of modernity.
Hampai, Khor and Hoksa
Hampai, a traditional black pot made from clay, is the pride of Loree Kaju. This unique pot is used for cooking, storing food, and brewing the popular rice beer, Khor. The villagers believe that the food cooked in Hampai has a distinct flavor.
During the festival, demonstration of Hampai pot making was also displayed, allowing visitors to witness the art of making these pots by skilled craftsmen.
The village is bursting with pride for their esteemed potter, 73-year-old Machihan Sasa, who was recently honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award on the momentous occasion of the 75th Republic Day celebration. The village held a special felicitation ceremony on the opening day of the village’s annual festival on January 28 to honor Sasa’s talent and accomplishments.
Khor, made from fermented rice, is the staple drink of the villagers and plays a crucial role in their social and cultural life. The festival was incomplete without the pouring and sharing of Khor, a gesture of camaraderie and bonding. Every household in the village prepared their respective Khor and offered the drinks to fellow villagers and visitors as a gesture of hospitality.
Another highlight of the festival was the traditional pork delicacy called Hoksa. Made from a special breed of home-grown pigs, Hoksa is cooked in various ways and is considered a delicacy during festival. The aroma of Hoksa filled the air, as villagers served the delicacy to visitors in the open air.
Cultural Day Celebration
The three-day celebration was a vibrant amalgamation of various cultural activities, including traditional games, folk song, dance performances, and an entertainment event. The festival also saw the presence of revelers from neighboring villages, and also from Ukhrul town.
The Cultural Day of the festival was attended by Jubilate Kazingmei, the Programme Director of Volunteer for Village Development (VVD) Ukhrul, as chief guest, while social activist Emmins Angela Philathing attended the event as a special guest.
Loree Kaju’s Hospitality
Kazingmei commended the Loree Kaju villagers for their exemplary display of the age-old Tangkhul tradition and culture of hospitality. “Loree Kaju is widely renowned for its famous delicacies, pork Hoksa and indigenous rice beer Khor. Countless visitors and tourists have enjoyed your culinary offerings. I appreciate your rich food culture and warm hospitality,” he said.
He also mentioned that the village is renowned for its traditional Longbi Hampai or black clay pot cooking. “This age-old technique has been passed down by the ancestors of the village and is now being championed by its current generation,” he noted.
Emphasizing the importance of preserving this cultural inheritance, he shared, “Longpi Hampai is a part of the village’s identity and heritage. The present generation must continue to practice it and pass it on to future generations.”
Call To Revive Ancestral Bond
Kazingmei, nevertheless, raised concern over the weakening of ancestral relationships among the villages in the Raphei (northern) region. “We have witnessed a gradual decline in the bond that once tied our villages together, and this is a matter of concern,” he observed.
He stressed on the need for preserving and strengthening the relationships among the villages through the celebration of this festival. “Luira Phanit just does not remind us of the sowing of crop seeds but also of the seeds of love and unity,” he said and called for setting aside differences.
According to Kazingmei, greed and desire to exploit land resources for economic gains are at the root of this decline in relationships. “Our identity and culture are deeply rooted in our land and our relationships with our neighboring villages. But we have forgotten our cultural values and have become more focused on material gains. This trend is not a part of our culture, and it is time for us to acknowledge this and take action.”
Echoing Kazingmei sentiments, Philathing spoke about the importance of cultural celebrations in preserving the traditions and values of a community. She emphasized that Loree Kaju has one of the most vibrant Luira Phanit celebrations among the Tangkhul villages.
Philathing also urged the villagers to leave behind any personal or communal issues and come together to celebrate the festival in the true spirit of unity. She added: “festivals Like Luira bring people together, uniting them through the rich history and cultural heritage.”
The festival convenor Dr. Solei Luiram delivered a welcome address at the event and shed light on the importance of this two-pronged festival in preserving the cultural heritage and pottery art form of the village.
“While Luta is celebrated to seek divine blessings for the ensuing seed-sowing season by remembering our rich custom and culture, Hamlei Panat promotes our pottery tradition which local artisans have been practicing for generations,” he said.
The Competitions
The pot making competition saw participation of five local potters, including a woman. The contestants were given a flattened piece of clay and a stand, and the challenge was to mold it into a pot in front of the public eye. It took some 10 to 15 minutes for the contestants to create their masterpiece.
Each contestant had their unique style, and it was fascinating to see them bring shapeless clay to life with their hands. They only used their fingers and basic tools to take on the challenge.
At the competition, the prize for first place was awarded to gifted potter Phaningmi Sasa. He displayed amazing skills with his quick masterpiece. Taking the second and third places were Thotreiyo Sharon and Steel Sareng, two other deserving potters who had also showcased their talents flawlessly.
Apart from the pot making competition, the day also witnessed various other competitions, such as Hao Pheichak (cultural dance), Hao Laa (folk song) contests, and traditional Thingneira Khangakhun (tug of war). These events showcased the vibrant and rich culture of the village and brought the people together in celebrating their heritage.
Moving on to the folk song and dance competitions, it was the dance troupe from Christian Compound Tang that emerged the winner. Kaju Tang and Kaju Tang (Junior) troupes were awarded second and third place respectively.
The intense and exciting tug of war competition saw team Zinglam Tang emerge as the winners, proving their strength and teamwork. Following closely behind them were the teams from Christian Compound Tang and Somdar Tang, who were awarded second and third place respectively.
Popular local singer Ngathingpam Tangva made a special appearance and performed two well-known songs, ‘Oh Loree’ and ‘Leikashi Khara’ (bond of love). The talented singer’s musical performances added an extra spark to the event.
Loree Night 2024
In the evening, the much-awaited Loree Night 2024 began with captivating musical performances from talented Tangkhul artists. The audience was treated to an unforgettable night with performances by esteemed artistes such as PC Makang, Ngathingpam Tangva, Ningshang Ngakang, SP Shonshon, Achui Soro, Ngalayo Makan and Sochihan Luiram, showcasing the rich musical culture of the Tangkhul community.
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