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Customs and Traditions
The religious customs and traditions of Manipur are unique. They are
organised in such a manner that in temple institutions those reveal the real
festivity and reflect the curious character of socio-religious life of the
valley. It involves the ethics and aesthetics of Manipuris. Mass propagation of
Hindu customs and traditions in Manipuri society is the indicator of their
reverence towards the Hindu deities and temples.
Birth
In Meities the rites and rituals are now on the Hindu pattern but certain
traditional rituals are also combined. During pregnancy the mother is
not restricted on any kind of food. Savasti Puja is conducted on the birth
of the child. A day is fixed by the Brahmin. On the fixed day relatives
from the child's mother side visit the house. They come in a procession.
This procession is a unique one. The women wear saffron, fanek and white
chader and woolen endi or white silk shawl. They carry presents in round
baskets in which Muri Laddos, leaves, nuts, kalasa, fish and clothes for
the child and the mother are placed. The procession is arranged in a single
file, the women followed by the men. When they reach the house, they keep
the gifts around the newly born child. Kirtans are arranged. Kirtan party
and the mother and the child sit round the Tulsi plant.
Marriage
Marriages are performed in accordance with the customs. Before the marriage
parents of the boy go to meet parents of the girl. This starting approach is
termed 'Hinaba'. The horoscopes are tallied and if both the parents agree then
the next date for the meeting is fixed. On the next meeting, called Yathang
Thanaga, the consent is given by the girl's parents. The next stage is 'Waroipot
puba' and the groom's family members bring food and the contract is finally
sealed. Finally the engagement is declared amongst the friends and relatives,
this is called 'Heijapot'. Friends and relatives from the boy's side then go to
the girl's parents with food, fruits and presents. The girl's parents also
invite their friends and relatives. The marriage is fixed by the Brahmin. A
Manipuri marriage party is of a great show but little is wasted for giving
meals. A marriage in a Meitei house in Imphal will be attended by not less than
thirty cars. A marriage attended by a procession of cars is considered a status
symbol. The men dress in dhoti and kurta with a shawl wrapped around and women
in pink 'fanek' and white chader. The reception is very formal. At the entrance
of the gate a Meitei woman extends a Thali containing a banana leaf in which the
betel nut, pan and tamul is arranged. The arrangement for sitting is made around
the Tulsi rostrum. In each Meitei house the Tulsi plant is grown over a raised
rostrum. All ceremonies are conducted around this plant.
The bridal dress is unique. It is obligatory for the bride
to wear the Raslila skirt. The bride-groom's dress is white dhoti, kurta
and turban. Kirtans and Shahnai music is started when the bride and the
bridegroom make seven rounds round the Tulsi plant. The bride follows
the steps in rhythmic styles with the Shahnai music. She has to perform
the role of a gopi. There are many good points in Meitei marriages. Tshere
is no stress on huge expenditure. The ladoos and sweets are distributed
after the marriage ceremony. The guests are given Dakshina. The dowry
is not as a compulsion but voluntary. The parents of the girl provide
essential items for her use such as utensils, sewing machine, implements,
clothes etc.
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