Under the sponsorship of Directorate of Handloom & Textile, Govt. of Manipur ‘Mera Hou Chongba Festive Fair 2022-23’ was successfully inaugurated by The District Handlooms and Textiles, Imphal East on 10^th October 2022 at 2:00 PM, this festive fair will continue till 16^th October,2022 at WAL ( Wangkhei Angom Leikai) Youth’s Club, Imphal East.

Mera Hou Chongba or Mera Waayungba or Mera Thaomei Thaanba is the cultural festival of solidarity of Manipur, celebrated by every indigenous ethnic group, including the Meitei people and the rest of hilly tribes. This day falls on the 15th lunar day of Mera month of the Meitei calendar. It has been celebrating for quite long time as a mark of remembrance of the solidarity among the different ethnic groups in the Manipur state and to give more strength in the process of further “consolidation of the idea of Manipuri nationalism.” It is a historical fact that the population of Manipur is made up on the basic foundation of pluralism. From the ground reality, it can be stated that right from the ancient time autonomy is enjoyed by every ethnic people in their own way; it is also accepted by the king of Manipur as central authority. However, in spite of all these political structure people have full loyalty to the supreme authority of the king. Therefore, to show their loyalty to the king and to mark oneness to the growth of nationalism in the state,” this festival is observed in a large scale way. This festival was celebrated right from the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in the first Century C.E. Before 1891, this festival was performed at the ground, Lampak situated to western direction from the Kanglasa and south-western from the Nungoibi in the Kangla Fort. The main function of Mera Hou Chongba festival is the exchange of gifts between the King and village Chiefs and performance of cultural show and sports Every year, in the month of Mera, which falls in September/October, Hou Chongba festival is celebrated, in which all the village Chiefs or Khullakpas and peoples from the surrounding hill areas fully take part.

Marking the unity, solidarity and sense of eternal bonding between various ethnic communities of the state, Shri Mutum Churamani Singh, Advisor, HERICOUN; Chingtam Luwang, President, Handloom Promotion Council, Manipur and Shri H.K. Baro, Deputy Director/ HoO Weaver’s Service Centre, Porompat, Imphal East graced the function as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour respectively.

Smt. Th. Ibemcha Devi, Project Manager(Handloom), District Handlooms & Textiles, Imphal East; Ningthouja Lancha, Cultural Activist; Takhellambam Thomas Singh, Secretary, WAL United Youth’s Club, Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Imphal East also graced the event.