Chandel, October 21:
The Chothe community celebrated the 13th edition of the “Shabu Hong Reen” (Pre-Harvest Festival) 2025 at Purum Khullen (Chothe Hupi) in Chandel district on Tuesday.
The celebration featured Khungphom’s Heritage Society as the special guest, while Chothe Lim Abom Manipur (CLAM), Chothe Chief’s Association (CCA), Chothe Athourol Nanngei Abom (CANA), and senior citizens of the Chothe community attended as special invitees.
The event was graced by Ansaithan Chothe, Chief of Purum Khullen, and Jacob Thaokong, the Festival Convenor, who also served as presidium members.
In his welcome address, Festival Convenor Jacob Thaokong highlighted that the Chothe tribe, settled in 20 recognized villages of Manipur, has a long-standing cultural heritage. Though traditional practices and beliefs have declined with the spread of Christianity, the festival continues to preserve and promote ancestral customs. The celebration is observed to express gratitude for the harvest, pray for protection from both natural and man-made calamities, and ensure community prosperity.
The festival also included ritual offerings and thanksgiving ceremonies where elders invoked blessings for a good harvest and harmony within the village. These rituals symbolize the community’s connection to nature and ancestral spirits.
As part of the day’s proceedings, various traditional rituals such as Arte Tlah-saan, Satin-Waat, and Shabu Huup were performed to foretell fortunes and ward off misfortune. The event further showcased Chothe cultural dances, modern folk songs, and other performances reflecting the rich cultural identity of the community.
