CHURACHANDPUR: The 9th Tangmai Festival, also known as the Cucumber Festival, organised by the Young Paite Association (YPA) General Headquarters under the theme “Unity Through Culture and Traditions”, was held at the YPA GHQ Hall, Hiangtam, Lamka, Churachandpur, today.
The festival was held in two sessions, with the first comprising a formal programme.
The Governor of Manipur, who had been invited as the chief guest, could not attend due to exigencies. The programme was instead graced by the MLA of Champhai Assembly Constituency, Mizoram, as the guest of honour.
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Speaking on the occasion, the Mizoram MLA said the festival was not merely a celebration but an affirmation of the shared blood ties and heritage of the Zo descendants, rooted in a common history spanning generations. He expressed hope that the festival would continue to serve as a platform for bringing together the Zo communities through their shared culture and traditions.
The occasion was also attended by the MLAs of Saikot and Churachandpur Assembly constituencies, along with community leaders from different communities.
The programme featured cultural performances by various groups, including the Young Mizo Association, Hmar Youth Association, Kuki Khanglai Lompi and Paite Cultural Society. Singers from Mizoram, members of Paite Zai Aw Pawl (PZP), and notably national award-winning child singer Esther Hnamte also performed.
As part of the festival, participants were served a traditional cucumber feast, while large quantities of cucumbers were sold to the public at subsidised rates.
The organising committee had collected cucumbers over the past month from remote villages, including areas around Guite Kual, as part of its effort to promote cucumber cultivation and encourage agricultural practices associated with local culture and traditions.
The second session, which was primarily a concert, began around 3 pm with the MLA of Churachandpur Assembly Constituency as the chief guest.
The concert featured performances by artistes from Mizoram, including Ruatpuii and Esther Hnamte, along with PZP and rock bands Six String, Rigvedazz and Zonam Rabis.
The performances continued into the evening, marking the culmination of the 9th Tangmai Festival 2026.
