Imphal, May 7 — Purul village in Senapati district, Manipur, concluded its three-day Purul (Hiimai) Paoki Festival on Wednesday, May 6, drawing villagers, youth volunteers and visitors for a celebration of traditional farming and community life. The event, held from May 4 to 6, combined hands-on agricultural activities with cultural displays and local hospitality.
Organised by the Purul Youth and Students’ Organisation (PYSO) with support from the State Tourism Department, the festival opened with preparations for a community feast that set a tone of collective participation. Villagers and guests shared meals and rituals that highlighted the social bonds underpinning local farming practices.
On the second day, participants carried out the uprooting of paddy saplings as guests arrived to observe and join the work. The final day centred on the transplantation ceremony, locally called Paobii Payu, when fields became bustling work sites crowded with volunteers and families working side by side. The practical demonstrations aimed to preserve traditional know‑how while encouraging cooperative labour.
Officials attending the festival said the celebrations underline the community’s long relationship with the land. Commissioner Thaithuilung Pamei (Agriculture, Sericulture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation) observed that these customs hold the wisdom of earlier generations and also point to the need for modern agricultural practices to sustain local livelihoods.
PYSO president RL Nada Redeem told the gathering that the Paoki Festival is more than an agrarian ritual; it is a reminder of shared values and inherited knowledge that bind the community. The programme also included cultural events and sports to engage youth and visitors.
A traditional wrestling competition rounded off the festival, with competitors from Purul and neighbouring villages taking part. Veikholou of Saranamei claimed the top title, capping three days of cultural revival, rural skills display and community solidarity.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/three-day-paoki-festival-concludes-in-manipurs-purul-village-1611335
Category: North East
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Publish Date: 2026-05-07 10:43:00
