Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh says Mera Hou Chongba could be observed as Manipur Integrity Day as hill and valley communities celebrate their shared heritage.
Imphal, Oct. 26: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Sunday said Mera Hou Chongba, the traditional festival bringing together hill and valley communities, could be observed as “Manipur Integrity Day”, describing it as a symbol of the state’s shared history and collective identity.
The Chief Minister made the statement during the state-level celebration of Mera Hou Chongba 2026, organised by the State Level Organising Committee on Mera Hou Chongba. The event brought together village chiefs, headmen and village authority members from around 100 hill villages, along with people from the hills and valley.
The celebration featured traditional dances, musical performances and an exchange of gifts between representatives of different communities, reaffirming the festival’s role in maintaining historical and cultural ties across Manipur.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Khemchand Singh began his speech by joining participants in chanting “Iramdam Manipur-na Yaifare” (Victory to our Motherland Manipur) and “Chingmi-Tammi Amatani” (Hills and Valley are One).
He said 36 ethnic communities had lived together in Manipur and stood united through different historical periods and major upheavals to protect their land from external forces.
According to the Chief Minister, Mera Hou Chongba has been celebrated across generations to preserve the spirit of fraternity and the shared identity of the people. He said the festival represented the unity of Manipur and could appropriately be recognised as the state’s Integrity Day.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the role of titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba in promoting ties with the hill communities. He said the titular king had played an important part in enabling the government to construct and inaugurate the guest house for hill people, known as Chingmees, at Sana Konung.
Speaking at the event, Leishemba Sanajaoba described Mera Hou Chongba as a historical festival celebrating the brotherly relationship between the hills and the valley.
He said the tradition had continued since the reign of Meidingu Nongda Lairen Pakhangba and thanked the organising committee for conducting this year’s celebration.
The titular king expressed hope that the festival would further strengthen ties between hill and valley communities and contribute to peaceful coexistence, lasting peace and stability in Manipur.
Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah also emphasised the historical significance of Mera Hou Chongba, describing it as an important tradition that reinforces the relationship between the hill and valley populations.
Referring to Manipur’s royal chronicle, Cheitharol Kumbaba, Muivah said around 70 to 80 per cent of its accounts documented the close historical relationship between the Meetei and Naga communities.
He stressed that this shared history should be remembered and preserved by present and future generations.
The state-level programme began in the morning with a cultural procession led by Leishemba Sanajaoba from Sana Konung to Kangla.
The procession included scholars associated with Sana Konung, priests and priestesses, traditional Pena balladeers, Thang-Ta performers and participants from hill and valley communities.
Upon reaching Kangla, the sacred rituals of Kangla Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba were performed at Kangla Uttra.
A public gathering was held later in the afternoon in front of Kangla Uttra, with Leishemba Sanajaoba presiding over the programme. Traditional folk music and dances representing different communities formed part of the celebration, alongside the customary exchange of gifts between hill and valley representatives.
Art and Culture Minister Khuraijam Loken, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, several MLAs and senior government officials attended the gathering.
A commemorative souvenir was released during the event. The Khongleihanba AS Vungnaoyo Zimik Mera Hou Chongba Award 2026 was conferred on Sagong K Namba, chief of Maram Khullen village.
