Imphal, Oct 18 (ANI): Tribes living in the hills and
plains of northeastern India come together to
participate and compete in Hiyang Hiren Tanana, the
traditional boat race competition, held annually two
days ahead of the Mera Houchongba celebrations, a
festival which encourages brotherhood among tribal
communities. On Wednesday hundreds of locals dressed
in their traditional northeast Indian attire, came to
participate in the festivities of an annual boat race
competition which is organised annually two days ahead
of the religious festival, Mera Houchongba. All 36
rowers or volunteers which include two team leaders
(Tengmai Lappa) who took part in the boat race were
blessed by the titular king ofIndia's northeastern
Manipur state, Leishemba Sanajaoba, during a ceremony
held at Sana Konung (Manipur Royal Palace) on Tuesday.
Hiyang HirenTanana (Traditional Boat Race) and Mera
Houchongba are the two most important festivals of
Manipur which bind the people of the valley with the
hills. The two festivals are being celebrated in
Manipur since 33 A. D. whenManipur was ruled by King
Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.
