Fishing festival in Manipur

WILLONG - The annual fishing festival in Manipur has attracted hundreds of people from the Maram tribe.

The festival commenced on Friday at the origin of the Barak river in Willong area of State’s Senapati district.

Ngauning Gabriel, chairman of Willong, explained the rituals of the festival, known as ‘Karjoi’.

“As part of our tradition, after the fish have been caught, people start drinking and bring out the Yai (type of fish) and declare that the fish have been caught. After catching the fish, we go back to our homes and offer the fish to the elderly and people who are ill and were unable to come to the festival. The majority of the fish is dried and stored until the next fishing festival takes place,” said Gabriel.

The fishing festival takes place in either the month of March or April.

The Maram tribe is known for their age-old fishing techniques and believes failure to hold the festival brings misfortune to their community.(ANI)