IASNOVA
First ,lets cover the tribal festivals from recent current affairs.
- Hornbill Festival
- Ngada festival
- Sekrenyi
Festivals of Vaiphei Tribes
Myoko festival
Sulia Festival
Moatsu festival
Tuluni festival
- Aoling festival
All the tribal festivals mentioned above are explained in the following list of tribal festivals.
List of Tribal Festivals
1. Hornbill Festival
-The Hornbill Festival is a celebration held every year from 1 – 10 December, in Nagaland, Northeast India.It is also called the ‘Festival of Festivals’.
– The state of Nagaland is home to several tribes, which have their own distinct festivals. More than 60% of the population of Nagaland depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve around agriculture.
– To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December.
– The first festival was held in 2000.
– The festival is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state’s tribes.
– Hornbill is not the state bird of Nagaland.
– Blyth ‘s Tragopan is Nagaland state bird.
– Indian Hornbill is state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.
2. Madai festival, Chhattisgarh
– Gond tribes
– The Madai festival, in which various ritualistic performances like folk dance and music, prayers, and sacrifice of goats takes place, is dedicated to goddess Kesharpal Kesharpalin Devi, one of the tribal deities
3. Bhagoriya Festival, Madhya Pradesh
– Bhil and Bhilala tribes
– The Bhagoriya festival, is all about a particular form of tribal marriage where young boys and girls are allowed to elope after choosing their partners. During this festival of Bhil and Bhilala tribes the boy puts red powder on the face of the girl whom he wants to marry and if the girl is willing to marry that boy she puts the same red powder on the boy’s face… incase the girl refuses, the boy is given another chance to persuade her and win her heart.
4. Mim Kut festival, Mizoram
– Mim Kut festival is a harvesting festival in Mizoram that is held in between August and September, after the harvest of maize.
– Some other tribal festivals in Mizoram are the Chapchar Kut, Thalfavang Kut, and Pawl Kut.
5. Sekrenyi Festival, Nagaland
– Angami Naga tribes
– Sekrenyi festival, which is a harvesting festival of the Angami Naga tribe
6. Tsukhenyi Festival, Nagaland
– Chakesand Naga tibes
– Held in between March and April, the Tsukhenyi festival is harvesting festival
– observed to offer thanks for a thriving harvesting season.
7. Kut-Festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes – Nagaland
– Marking the end of the harvest season, the Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes celebrate this festival.
8. Ningol Chak-Kouba of the Meiteis – Nagaland
– (November, Imphal Valley)
– A festival practically dedicated to married Meiti women, when they feast at their paternal homes.
9. Sikpui Ruoi of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo Tribes – Nagaland
– Celebrated only when a substantial part of the previous year’s harvest remains unconsumed in the granary.
10. Chiithuni festival of the Mao Nagas- Nagaland
– The New year/ post-harvest festival of the Mao Nagas is also known as ‘feast of dawn,’ lasting for six days and celebrated after the paddy has been safely brought home and stored.
11. Gaan Ngai of the Zeliangrong tribes – Nagalnd
– When the granaries are full, and the whole village free from agricultural work, the Zeliangrong tribes turn to a five- or seven-day post-harvest celebration, marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of a new year.
12.Thounii New Year Festival of the Poumai Nagas
– Poumai Nagas have many festivals including Taitounii, Loukanii, Rounii, Daonii, Khünii, Paonii/Paoki, Laonii, Donii, and Thounii, the ‘new year’ festival is one of the oldest and most popular. Celebrated after paddy, food grains and crops have been stored.
13. Chumpha Festival of Tangkhul Nagas
– The Tangkhul Naga post-harvest festival goes on for a week, climaxing in merrymaking and social bonding on the last three days.
14. Gang Ngai Festival of Kabui Nagas
– A five-day festival marked by ancestor worship, feasts, cultural performances and dancing by both young and old.
15. Kang Hi (Naked Post-harvest Wrestling Festival of the Maram Tribe)
– Probably the only manhood and honour festival where naked men do wrestling. Women are also allowed to watch, but only from 50m away.
16. Rih Ngai Festival of the Zeliangrong tribes - Nagaland
– The ancient tribal war and victory festival of the Zeliangrong is a time to seek strength and vigour from the Supreme Being. Male tribesmen armed with spears and machetes walk through the village chanting in chorus.
17. Lui Ngai Ni Festival of the Naga tribes
– Observed by various Naga tribes, this annual festival brings several Naga tribes together during seed sowing.
18. Luira Seed Sowing Festival of the Tangkhul Nagas
– unique Kungahon dance, along with a variety of beautiful folksongs sung to the gods to protect the newly planted seeds.
19. Yaoshang (Holi festival of the Hindu Meitei) – Manipur
– Yaoshang is one of Manipur’s biggest festivals, where people play with colours, similar to Holi in the rest of India.
– Thabal Chongba, a ‘Moonlight dance’, is performed at night with folk songs during this spring festival.
20. Cheiraoba (Manipuri Meitei New Year)
– Special festive dishes are offered to various deities on this day. Part of the ritual entails villagers climbing hilltops to enable them to rise to greater heights in their worldly life.
21. Shirui Lily Festival – Manipur
– Named after the Shirui lily, the state flower of Manipur, endemic to a hill of the same name , this eco-tourism festival is held every year, with local traditional performances, events and exhibits.
22. Mu Ka Da Festival of the Kharam Tribes – Manipur
– This marks the end of annual seed sowing for the Kharam tribes.
23. Gudui Ngai Festival of the Zeliangrong tribes - Nagaland
– The ginger soup festival of the Zeliangrong tribes was initially about worshipping Tingkao Ragwang, the Supreme God, for a plentiful harvest, after seed sowing. A symbolic tug-of-war is played between boys and girls, in which the girls ritually win.
24. Lai Haraoba Festival of the Sanamahi Meiteis - Manipur
(already asked in past prelims)
– The ginger soup festival of the Zeliangrong tribes was initially about worshipping Tingkao Ragwang, the Supreme God, for a plentiful harvest, after seed sowing. A symbolic tug-of-war is played between boys and girls, in which the girls ritually win.
25. Kang, the Rath Yatra of the Manipur Meiteis
– During this 10-day Hindu festival, Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a car known as ‘Kang’.
– The world-famous Ras Leela dance is performed too.
26. Laonii Rice Transplanting Festival of the Poumai Nagas
– This nine-day festival follows transplantation of rice.
27. Mangkhap of the Thangkuls - Nagaland
– The Tangkhul celebration story is completed with the Mangkhap festival
– Khangahon dances are performed to relax from agricultural work.-Dances, folk songs and Naga acapella-style tribal hymn contests between different villages are the things to catch.
28. Heikru Hitongba of the Meiteis – Manipur
– A grand boat race, preceded and followed by lots of elaborate rituals and plenty of ornate, visual delights mark this Hindu festival.
29. Chagah War festival of the Liangmai tribe – Nagaland
– It is both a war festival and sanctification ceremony.
– A festival for male members.
30. Aoleang Festival, Nagaland
– Konyak tribe
– Once deadly headhunters, the Konyak tribe today is one of the indigenous tribes in India who are noted for living a passive lifestyle. Today they are mostly indulging in agriculture, local alcohol, smoking opium, and occasional hunting.
– The Aoleang festival is a major festival of the Konyak tribe and is celebrated with huge zeal in the month of April to welcome the New Year.
31. Moatsu Festival, Nagaland
– Ao Nagas tribe
– It is a three days festival of the Ao Nagas of Nagaland
– Performance of the folk songs and dance and the symbolic celebration of “Sangpangtu”.
32. Miu Festival, Nagaland
– Khiamniungan Tribe
– It is held every year in the first week of May with the significant part of the festival being that it strengthens the bond between an uncle and his nephew/niece.
– Another major part of the festival is seedling in the new field and performing pujas by offering animal blood and flesh with other food stuffs to their deity.
33. Tulini Festival, Nagaland
– Sumi Naga tribe
– The Tulini Festival of Sumi Naga tribe of Nagaland is celebrated to rejoice the season of abundant crops. During this festival devotees offer prayers to Litsaba, a form of tribal deity, who in exchange blesses a fruitful harvesting season.
34. Nazu Festival, Nagaland
– Pochury tribes
– The Khupielilie dance, a tribal dance form, is the major attraction in this festival.
35. Metemneo Festival, Nagaland
– Yimchungers tribe
– another festival celebrated after the harvest season is over.
– Yimchunger tribes indulge in various activities like “Sito”, “Shito”, and “Zhimto”, all that is associated with the cleaning of villages and construction of roads; “Chiresco”, which is related to cleaning of water points and springs; and “Siresok”, when the folk assembles for cleaning and worshiping of agricultural tools.
36. Amongmong Festival, Nagaland
– Sangtam tribes
– The name signifies togetherness.
– The Amongmong festival of the Sangtam tribes is an annual harvesting festival that is observed with huge vigour, excitement and devotion.
37. Tokhuemong Festival, Nagaland
– Lotha Naga tribes
– This is a 9-day post-harvest festival amongst the Lotha Naga tribes of Nagaland.
38. Ngada Festival, Nagaland and Assam
– Rengma Tribes
– Ngada festival is a thanksgiving festival that signifies the end of the agricultural season.
39. Karama festival, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha
– Devoted to goddess Karamasani
– Karama festival is mostly celebrated by the Ho, Kisan, Kol, Bhumij, Oraon, Bhuiyan, and Binijhal tribes of east and central India.
– The Karama festival is one of the monsoon festivals in India that is followed by various ritualistic practices like worshiping of the branches of a Karma tree in exchange of good wealth and children.
40. Sume-Gelirak festival, Odisha
– Bond Tribes
– The most important festival of the Bonds of Koraput, the Sume-Gelirak festival in Odisha is a 10-day festival with several ritualistic practices.
– The ritual of sacrificing animals and birds and appeasing the tribal deities with liquor is one of the significant parts of the Sume-Gelirak festival.
41. Bija Pandu festival, Odisha
– Koya tibes
– Also known as Chaitra Parva
– Bija Pandu festival is celebrated mostly amongst the Koya tribes of Koraput in Odisha.
– Bija Pandu festival is dedicated to a resident deity, Gudimata, and includes rituals like sacrificing of animals and birds and propitiating with liquor.
42. Bohaggiyo Bishu Festival, Assam
– Deoris tribe
– The Bohaggiyo Bishu festival is one of the captivating spring festivals in Assam that is observed in mid-April.
– The major attractions during the Bohaggiyo Bishu festival are the Deodhani dance form and Husori or Carol song party.
43. Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, Telangana
– Also known as Medaram Jatara, the festival is celebrated to honour the fight of a mother and daughter against the unjust law. ]
– The devotees also take a sacred bath in Jampanna Vagu, which is a tributary of the River Godavari.
44. Dree Festival, Arunachal Pradesh
– Apatani tribes
– Marked by the sacrifice of animals and birds, the Dree festival of the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is yet another agricultural festival in India
45. Pongtu Kuh Festival, Arunachal Pradesh
– Tutsa tribes
– dedicated to the resident deity to seek the blessings for a prosperous agricultural season.
– The “Samwalong” form of dance is one of the major attractions on this day of the festival.
46. Vautha Mela, Gujarat
– Dedicated to Lord Kartik, the Vautha Mela is one of the major religious events in Gujarat.
– It is on par with the famous Camel Fair in Pushka, the Vautha Mela in Saptasangam, which is a place of confluence of seven rivers.
– The fair is followed by trading of donkeys, usually by the gypsy traders.
47. Minjar Festival, Himachal Pradesh
– During the event people generally dress up in colourful silk costumes and offer prayers at the Laxmi Narayan temple for a thriving harvesting season.
48. Behdienkhlam, Meghalaya
– Pnars in Jaintia Hills
– The festival is observed to chase away the Demon of Cholera and to seek blessings for a rich harvesting season.
49. Bani Festival, Andhra Pradesh
– During the Dusshera festival lathi-wielding devotees from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh gather at the Devaragattu Temple in Kurnool to hit each other on the heads to commemorate the killing of a demon by Mala-Malleshwara (Shiva).
50. Dhinga Gavar festival, Rajasthan
– While Gangaur, a spring festival held a day after Holi, is celebrated across the state, Dhinga Gavar is confined to the walled city of Jodhpur.
– Statues of Gavar, said to be the playful avatar of Gangaur (Parvati), are placed at various locations after sunset. Women don different getups and carry sticks to deter men from coming close to the statues.
51. Ambubachi Mela, Assam
– One of the most vibrant religious festivals of North-East India, Ambuabachi Mela indicates the celebration of the fertility of Mother Nature.
– Nilachal Mountain, close to the river Brahmaputra, is the seat of Goddess Kamakhya.
52. Gauchar Mela, Uttarakhand
– Quite popular amongst the Garhwalis, the Gauchar Mela is a weeklong event in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand
– It is an annual event that commences on the 14th of November each year and is a rendezvous of traders, merchants, and is accompanied by cultural dance and music performers
– It is the best time to shop woollen handicrafts made by the Bhotias.
53. Myoko festival of the Apatani Tribe- Arunachal Pradesh
– It includes rituals for prosperity, fertility, purification and sacrifice that are done by the priest.
54. Sulia- Odisha
– Kandha Tribes
– The biggest tribal festival marked by a mass sacrifice of animals and birds in Balangir district in Odisha was celebrated in January,2019,despite a ban on the practice.
– This festival of the primitive tribal is observed in Khair Gura village of Balangar district.The tribal community of Balangir worships their forefather Sulia Budha by sacrificing large numbers of animals and birds,which, they believe ,will fulfil their wishes.
55. Festivals of Vaiphei Tribe
– The Vaiphei Tribe have two festivals in their own.
– One is Thazing lap, a pre-harvest festival which is celebrated in the month of September.
– Other is the Awl-len festival
– The Vaiphei People from different regions of Myanmar, Mizoram ,Assam and other northeastern states will assemble in this vigorous festival.
– Of all this, the Vaiphei community had its most popular dance called LaamKual, which features boys and girls with majestic moves encircling the bonfire.
