“Paoki” festival gives new hopes to environment

Imphal, May 13: “Paoki” the only traditional plantation festival of Poumai tribes was celebrated at Purul Atongba Village of Purul in Senapati District, Manipur from May 9 to May 11, 2016.
Paoki is a traditional festival of plantation for the Poumai tribes which is observed every year for three days during the month of May since time immemorial. However, the day of celebration varies from village to village according to lunar calendar.
On the first day of the festival  villagers organised a grand feast with items of all kinds of animal, traditional wrestling is held on the night of second day which are participated by youth from different villages showing their strength to the host team, Purul and on the third day all the villagers including old and young goes to each paddy field and the main fest of Paoki begins with the plantation of uprooted paddy saplings which was prepared beforehand.
Later, in the night youths visited each house and local rice beer is served by each family member .
Volunteers of the Paoki festival search for the best girls on the village in the night time and award the title of Miss Paoki. The title of Purul Paoki 2016 was given to D Athiphro Kajina (18) d/o A Daniel and K Besa of Senapati, Senapati District. Youths of Purul village claim the winning and overall champion title of the wrestling match.
Well known persons, high ranking officials, AC, SDO and many attended the celebration.