Tuesday, August 5

Festivals in Mizoram

Chapchar Kut

Introduction to the Chapchar Kut Festival in Mizoram
The Chapchar Kut Festival is one of the extravagant Fiestas in Mizoram and is regarded as one of the grand carnivals that are held in the state. It is visited by numerous people from across the country who enjoy the richly hued fete; it is almost a National Level Fiesta and therefore the Chapchar Kut is the most delicate and sensitive gala event in Mizoram.

Description of the Chapchar Kut
If you witness the men and women in colorful costumes you shall be mesmerized. The uniqueness of Mizoram lies in the fact that the richly tainted attires that dazzles amidst the bright light of the sun, which blesses the land with rich harvest is thus the most adored deity in Mizoram. Chapchar Kut is actually a merriment that is accredited to the golden harvest that has made the fields content endowing it with the feeling of satisfaction. The men and women, bejeweled, come out of their houses and gather in mass to celebrate this gala event. They sing and dance to the tune of the flute and there is a nostalgic tune associated with the entire process. Since dance is an art we may as well say that "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." For the painting to be exquisite the people of Mizoram dances with absolute perfection. It is an substantial incident. The Chapchar Kut fiesta is also attended with Cheraw and Bamboo Dance. These dances have gained International importance and are generally performed during the Chapchar Kut Carnival. Conventional songs accompanied with gongs, cymbals, and drum beats are sung with merriment and dance; the men and women with hands round each other make a unique scene. Colored costumes and jewels make the snow peaks of Mizoram all the more charming and gorgeous.

Time for the celebration of the Chapchar Kut
Usually, the Chapchar Kut Carnival is held during the spring time that falls around March every year.

Pawl Kut


Introduction to the Pawl Kut Festival in Mizoram
Pawl Kut in Mizoram is a colorful harvest festival that is accompanied with ballet, songs and jollity. There is a historical concoction to the Pawl Kut Festival. In the ancient times the Mizos had been staying in the eastern part of the Tiau River. This is in Chin Hills, presently contained by the Burma Border. Once these Mizos faced a strong challenge because for three consecutive years there was no rain and the fields were dry and incapable of producing crops. So, they asked for the blessings of God who listened to their request and send them rain. In that year there was a bumper crop. Men of Mizoram rejoiced the bliss with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm. From here the Pawl Kut Festival in Mizoram emerged.

Description of the Pawl Kut Festival in Mizoram After its emergence the fiesta continued to be held in Mizoram amidst extensive fanfare. Pawl Kut Festival in Mizoram is feted as part of thanksgiving to the Lord for his kind assistance in the harvest of Mizos. This richly hued fiesta reminds that incident again and again. The fascinating part of this ceremony is the extensive meal consisting of meat and egg. A day is usually fixed for the carnival before the original ceremony, in which men depart for hunting expeditions and fishing trips. Enough meat is assembled according to one’s capacity. Even the poorest man is supposed to kill at least a fowl for his family. The women of the family bring in prepared dishes. It consists of rice, boiled eggs and meat. Feeding one another is part and parcel of the Chhawnghnawt. This is also attended extensively by the younger members of the family. In the fiesta the man and women rejoice in Zu drinking, that generally occurs in the household of a rich person. The Pawl Kut Festival in Mizoram is usually followed by a day of rest. This is known as Eipuar Awim Ni. After the advent of Christian Missionaries, however, these festivals are gradually vanishing.

Time for the celebration of the Pawl Kut Festival Pawl Kut is celebrated in December, before the advent of spring which brings in more colors to the carnival.

Mim Kut

Introduction to the Mim Kut Festival in Mizoram
Mim Kut is a religious Festival held in Mizoram. It is a vibrant and colorful fiesta that is celebrated with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm. It is actually a Maize Festival, fĂȘted amidst extensive gaiety. Mim Kut is thus a joyous ceremony that adds a new feather to the stunning coronet of fiestas in Mizoram.

Description of the Mim Kut Festival in Mizoram
The Mim Kut Festival is supposed to have assembled the spirit of Mizoram in a single sack. It consists of the elegance of lush green fields, the cerulean mountain ranges dotted with blond peaks that dazzles with the golden radiance of the sun. All these accumulates together to create a canvas of a skilled artist. As an artist dips his brush into his own nature and paints the canvas with precision and care, Mizoram is a similar canvas that had been created by the Almighty with his own hands, and Nature itself reflects that. The Fairs and Festivals in Mizoram are unique in their own ways. There is an ample scope for entertainment during these festivals. The Mim Kut Festival is supposedly celebrated in Mizoram to invoke the dead souls and offer tribute to them. This presentation of accolade takes place amidst ceremonial hues in which the entire city bedecks itself. The Mim Kut Festival in Singapore lasts for two or three days at a stretch. Since it is believed that the dead souls revisit the house of their previous lives, offerings are made to them. These offerings include fresh vegetables, maize, bread and necklaces. Often clothes are also dedicated in their memories. Sacrifices are specially made in the reminiscence of the near ones who conks out in the previous year. On the second day of the Mim Kut Festival extensive bread lunches are served and people take a hearty meal from bread items. There is also widespread drinking of rice beer, singing and ballet to enliven the spirit of the fiesta.

Time for the Celebration of the Mim Kut Festival
Mim Kut is usually celebrated during August after the hard labor of Jhum, amidst extensive fanfare and merrymaking.