Ukhrul: Loree Kaju celebrates Luta cum 4th Hamlei Panat 2024 at the local ground under the theme “Know Thy Roots”. The seed sowing festival that kickstarted on 28 January will wind up on 30 January 2024. The annual festival is celebrated to invoke the blessing of the Creator as the villagers start tilling the field for cultivation and for bountiful harvest.
The cultural programme was attended by Jubilate Kazingmei, Programme Director of Volunteer for Village Development (VVD), Ukhrul as chief guest and Philathing Angela Jelly, Social Worker as special guest.
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Speaking at the occassion, Jubilate Kazingmei stated that “the hospitality of Loree Kaju is well known to most of the people of Manipur. People from every corner have visited Loree Kaju especially during Luta (seed sowing festival) to enjoy and taste the delicious pork and to sip the finest indigenous drinks like Shangkan and Khor. “Longpi Hamlei” the black earthen pot is found only in this area and it is well known to the rest of the world.”
“Promoting our rich culture like folk song and folk dance would surely bring us unity among the brethren. It is time to come together as one and promote our rich culture and tradition. There might be conflict of interest due to our different perception, but it is a challenge for all of us especially the youngsters to overcome this problems” stated Jubilate Kazingmei.
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He further continued “everything in excess is not good for our health and society. Let us be a responsible citizen to create a beautiful and desirable atmospheres for the coming generation. After this festival, most of the farmer will go to their respective fields for tilling the soil. The season for sowing of seeds for a bountiful harvest has arrived. It has been time tested, the seeds used by our forefathers is the best. Let us not go for genetics engineering seeds. We should not depend on the seed provided by the corporate sectors, rather we should preserve and promote our indigenous seeds. I wish a prosperous and bountiful harvest.”
Philating Angela Jelly remarked that “Luita Phanit (seed sowing festival) is celebrated all over the Tangkhul region. However, the Luita festival of Loree Kaju is one of the most recognised and colourful celebrations among all the Tangkhul Naga villages. Inspite of our differences, let us preserve this old age practice and celebrate it with unity and vibrant culture.”
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Competition on fame black pottery making, folk song and folk dance and tug of war were held in Tang (locality) wise. In the pottery making competition, Phaningmi Sasa was declared the winner. While Thotreiyo Sharon and Steel Sareng were declared the second and third position holder respectively. In the folk song and folk dance competition, Christian Compound Tang was declared the winner. Kaju Tang and Kaju Tang (Junior) was declared the second and third position holder respectively. In the tug of war, Zinglam Tang emerged as the winner. Christian Compound Tang and Somdar Tang was declared the second and third position holder respectively.
On 28 January 2024, the villagers of Loree Kaju had felicitated Machihan Sasa, a recipient of Padma Shri Awardee for 2024 for promotion and preservation of the ancient Tangkhul traditional pottery.
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Loree Kaju is about 37 kilometers to the north of Ukhrul Headquarters and is connected by National Highway 202 (Imphal–Kohima via Ukhrul to Jessami Highway). Loree Kaju is flanked by Nungbi Khullen in the east, Lunghar in the south, Phungcham in the west and Kalhang in the north.
Loree Kaju is famous for the age old pottery making locally called Hamlei or popularly known as Longpi Ham. It is used as the main cooking utensil among the Tangkhul community before the advent of aluminum pots. Longpi Ham as of today has attained national and international popularity. Longpi pottery is one unique art where the potters do not use the potter’s wheel. Longpi ham is made from a mixed paste of ground black serpentinite stone and a special brown clay, found only in the area. After the pots are shaped, polished and sun dried they are heated in a bonfire and thereafter polished with a special tree leaf. The black color of Longpi ham is a result of polishing the heated earthen pots with the tree leaf.
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