Lai Haraoba in Manipur- origin, types and significances

LAI HARAOBA IN MANIPUR- ORIGIN TYPES AND SIGNIFICANCES

Roshan Lai

Lai Haraoba is one of the most important ingredients of Manipuri culture especially the Meitei culture. It reveals the origin, lifestyles of the Meiteis and has been celebrated by the Meiteis since time immemorial.

Lai Haraoba  is a Manipuri word which literally means “merry making of God.”

Lai Haraoba depicts the various stages of a person’s life- from birth till death through songs and dances. The songs , dances and the rituals of the Lai Haraoba are the offerings to the gods or deities for a healthy, prosperous and peaceful society.

 

ORIGIN        

Different eminent historians and scholars have given different views about the origin of Lai Haraoba. But most of them agree on a common ground.

Pandit Ngariyanbam Kulachandra said in his book ‘Meitei Lai Haraoba’:

“At the time of the creation of the universe, Asheeba (the anhilator) was confused about the creation of living things. Then Guru Shidaba(the creator) opened his mouth and showed the living beingsnin his stomach. Seeing this Asheeba got enlightened and came out shouting. This shouting is called Lai Hoi Laoba amd it means shouting of God.”

Elam Indira also wrote in her book ‘Lai Haraobagi wakhallon’ that Lai haraoba is the ceremony of praying and remembering the gods who created the universe.

Wahengbam Lukhoi also wrote in his book ‘Lai Haraoba’ that the gods of the Meitei community first had their merry making at the Koubru Hills and they agreed that to make the some gods creation through songs and dances.

There is a story about how the humans started Lai haraoba. Several years before the birth of Christ, there was a king of the Khaba clan called Khaba Shokchrongba. His son Tarang Thoinucha married Panthoibi. After some time Panthoibi left him and went to Nongmaijing Hills to live with Nongpok Ningthou. When Khaba clan came to know that both Nongpok and Panthoibi are god and goddess, the mother-in-law of Panthoibi Manu Teknga came and worshipped them. She built a temple and started Lai haraoba. From that day onwards, people have been celebrating Lai Haraoba every year.

Meiteis are celebrating it not just for entertainment. It is performed with great belief and carefully. People believe that if anything wrong is done, they will suffer.

TYPES:

“Umang Lai” is a collective name of the varioys gods which were at the time of creation, some ancestors who turned into gods and some gods brought from outside the state. Altogether there are 364 Umang lai.

Although the timing of Lai haraoba differ from place to place, most of the places celebrate during February to June. According to the differences in form, we can broadly divide Lai Haraoba into four groups-

1. Kanglei Haraoba
2. Moirang Haraoba
3. Kakching Haraoba and
4. Chakpa haraoba.

KANGLEI HARAOBA:

Like other types, Kanglei Haraoba is set to begin on an auspicious day. An exclusive feature of the kanglei haraoba is the ‘Kanglei thokpa’ performed on the 5^th or 7^th or 9^th or 11^th day. Kanglei thokap is a special programme which shows the marriage of god. It depicts the marriage of Layingthou Khoriphaba. A maibi will take the role of khoriphaba and a hockey amtch is played in the form of dance. The lady which is being hit by the kangdroom(ball) is chosen as his wife.

Except this feature all other programmes are same with others.

MOIRANG HARAOBA:

By Moirang haraoba, we mean the Lai haraoba ceremony of Moirang Thangjing. It starts every year on the 3^rd day of the Meitei month ‘Kaalen’ which is the month of May. It is celebrated for 15 days or 1 month and sometimes more. Moirang haraoba has three important features-

Ø  Yumphamba

Ø  Khongchingba and

Ø  Lamthokpa

Only one of them is seen in a year.

Yumphamba is the form of haraoba which is celebrated at the courtyard of the temple.

In Khongchingba, 17 chariots seated by different gods are pulled to a place at Moirang Keithel(Market). At this place the days programme are conducted.

Lamthokpa is the outdoor visit of Lord Thangjing to a special place he chooses. Like khongchinba,17 chariots are used but this time no rope is used.

KAKCHING HARAOBA:

Kakching haraoba is also a different form of Lai haraoba. Kakching haraoba means the Lai haraoba ceremony of “Khamlangba” at Kakching Khullen and Kakching Wairi. Some important features of Kakchinf  Haraoba are Ekouba, Lei Langba and Ngaprum Tanba.

Ekouba is seen in all forms of Lai haraoba but unlike others the maibi immerse herself in the water and call the god.

Lei alanga literally means ‘offering of flowers.’ The flowers to be offered are called ‘Nungarei’ and is collected from thr hills of Purum village.

Ngaprum tanba is a special ritual in which a white eel is being sacrificed. It is believed that the eel will carry away all the bad and inauspicious things.

CHAKPA HARAOBA:

Chakpa haraoba is another form of haraoba in which the rituals are done in the style of the Chakpa(s). The Chakpa are considered to be the lowest caste in our society and they can be compared to the shudra inthe Hindu society. The villages where Chakpa haraoba are prevelant are Andro, Leimaram, Phayeng, Kondruk, Sekmai and Tairenpokpi.

Regarding the origin of Chakpa haraoba, Ningthoujam Mangoljao wrote :

“Salairen Shidaba(the creator) turned into a deer and came out in front of the Chakpas. They chased the deer and reached heaven. They saw the merry making of the gods and forgot about the deer. They returned home and started celebrating Lai haraoba.”

SIGNIFICANCES OF LAI HARAOBA:

1. Lai Haraoba and Manipuri Dance-

It is believed that the Manipuri dance originated from Lai haraoba. The Rasa Dance commonly known as Manipuri classical dance was adapted from the theme and techniques of lai haraoba dance.

Here is a short description of how the Rasa dance which depicts Radha-Krishna story resemble Lai haraoba dance. During the reign of King Bhagyachandra, the Shri Shri Govindaji temple was built. He wanted to offer a dance in front of the Lord but as he already became a Hindu, he didn’t like to bring in the traditional lai haraoba dance. He consulted his councilof ministers regarding this. They concluded-

In the Meitei mythology, Goddess Panthoibi was married to Khaba Thoinucha yet she had a great love affair with Nongpok Ningthou. In order to meet Nongpok, Panthoibi went out daily for washing clothes and fishing. And Nongpokmalso came to meet her disguising himself as a Tangkhul youth.

Likewise in the Hindu mythology, Radha was married to Aayan. She too couldn’t resist her love for Shri Krishna. She daily went out for Surya Pooja nad for selling milk in order to meet Krishna.

Seeing this similarity, the Rasa dance was constructed but the original theme, technique, music and words are truly based on Meitei mythology.

2. Lai haraoba promotes sports.

(the writer is a master in masscommunication from Manipur university. He is  two times UGC NET JRF qualified and currently pursuing PhD in Assam University)