When is Ningol Chakouba?
Ningol Chakouba is an Indian state-level holiday observed in Manipur observed on the second day of the month of Heyangei, which means it usually takes place in late October or November.
Traditions of Ningol Chakouba
The many colourful festivals of this northeastern Indian state are opportunities to showcase the culture and traditions of the region's unique communities and tribes.
Ningol Chakouba is no exception. It is a festival of the Meitei community, which is the majority ethnic group in Manipur.
Handily, if we translate the name of this festival from Manipuri, what happens at this festival becomes very clear - 'Ningol' means married daughter and 'Chakouba' means an invitation for a lunch at the mother's house.
On Ningol Chakouba parents welcome their wedded daughters to their "mapam" (mother's house) for a grand feast.
The married women visit in their finest traditional attire with their children. Gifts are offered with a blessing to the daughters and the grandchildren by the parents.
The son of the family formally does the invitation one week in advance, to his sister.
With no particular religious elements, this is a popular social celebration aimed at strengthening the bond of love and affection between married women and their parental families.
It is also a welcome occasion to meet both family and friends, some of whom may live far away.
The popularity of this festival means it is also celebrated in the Meitei diaspora outside Manipur.
