'Mera Houchongba', an annual festival celebrating the unity of the hill and valley peoples, belongs to which state?

Mera Houchongba is an annual festival of Manipur that celebrates the unity and brotherhood between the Meitei people of the Imphal valley and the tribal peoples of the hills, such as the Nagas and the Kukis. It is celebrated on the full moon day (or the tenth day) of the Meitei month of Mera, which falls in September-October.

Mera Houchongba is an ancient festival, believed to date back to the time of the early Meitei kings. During the festival, representatives and chiefs of the hill tribes come to the royal palace at the Sana Konung in Imphal, bringing gifts, such as fruits, vegetables, handloom cloth and other products of the hills, for the king (the Ningthou). The king receives them, and the valley and hill people share food, exchange gifts, and take part in cultural programmes together. The festival symbolises the relationship of mutual respect and support between the peoples of the hills and the valley, which have different cultures but share a common history and land.

The festival includes a procession, the hoisting of a flag, traditional rituals, and the performance of traditional songs and dances by different communities. Traditional games, such as Mukna (Manipuri wrestling) and Yubi Lakpi, may also be played. Many people regard the festival as an important symbol of the unity and integrity of Manipur, especially given the tensions that have sometimes arisen between communities.

Manipur has a valley in the centre, inhabited mainly by the Meiteis, surrounded by hills inhabited by the Naga and Kuki-Zo tribes. Other festivals of Manipur include Lai Haraoba, Yaoshang, Cheiraoba, Ningol Chakouba, Kut, Lui-Ngai-Ni, Gaan-Ngai and the Sangai Festival.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Assam is known for the Bihus.
• ✗Tripura is known for Kharchi Puja and Garia Puja.
• ✗Nagaland is known for the Hornbill Festival.