By – Yazing Vicisy
Secretary General,
Federation of Haomee
A decoration of Art by using red and white threads colours in a shawl is called MANORE in Hungpung language which is a Haora Kachon/Phi/Shawl . Haora colours are also used in leiroom kachon in Tangkhul language, or leiroom phi in Meitei language. While weaving Haora Shawl, though there would be three large belts of white colours, the red colour is randomly used while in leiroom kachon or leiroom phi ,it is just the opposite. The white colour is used where only three large belts of red colour will be seen in leiroom phi/shawl/kachon. Among the Tangkhuls, western and southern Tangkhuls manufacture haora shawl and among southern Tangkhuls, Kabongram (Modern Tangkhul Hundung Village) is traditionally famous for the manfacture of large haora shawl made of seven pieces(amalak/marak) so that it becomes large. So the shawl is usually worn by elderly people. According to K.H Paiteephang of Kabong village , the large folded is called leiroom shawl or leiroom phi. A.S Mayarping of the same village also say that large folded shawl is called leiroom akook(Haora). As the large folded shawl is called leiroom, Meiteis are also haora people because leiroom becomes a common name of the Tangkhul and the Meitei. In the coronation of the Meitei King,haora would be used,in the Moirang Laiharaoba and Meira Haochongba haora would be used too. Again in the portrait of the Nongpok Ningthou,haora would be used.Leiroom akook is actually haora shawl, so that traditionally and historically the Meiteis are also haora people.
According Kabongram (old name of modern Tangkhul Hundung Village) there are three types of leiroom phi, namely leiroom akook, leiroom ami and leiroom peok. Leiroom akook is a large shawl made of seven or nine pieces(amalak/marak), So the shawl is usually worn folded . Old people are fond of wearing leiroom akook on important days.
Another type is leiroom ami,which is white in colour having three large belts of red colours.It is also worn by elderly people of the Tangkhuls. The leiroom use by Meitei in their marriage ceremony is Leiroom ami. Originally given at marriage as present/gift to the daughter of Meetei king by elder brother in the hills who could not physically present at the marriage. The significant of Leiroom phi is blessing as well as protection for the daughter of the Meetei King.
The third one is leiroom peok. It is small in size.Leiroom peok is used by southern Tangkhuls in the marriage ceremony. One leiroom peok would be included among the properties of the groom’s party which is taken to the house of bridegroom.
The cultural importance of leiroom phi /leiroom Kachon has been preserved by Meiteis since time immemorial. This shows the cultural bondage between the Meiteis and the Nagas which is known as HAOs racially. This a history and no one can change the history.