Mim Kut Festival is a post harvest festival celebrated in Nagaland, North East India and also in other parts of Mizoram. The festival is celebrated and honored by the Kuki Nagas. It is one amongst the various fashionable festivals of Nagaland. The celebration is ostentatious and is of vital essence to the Kuki-Chin tribe. It expresses joy and triumphant over the harvest of Mim (Maize), which is the last harvest crop for the season. The festival celebrates the harvest of maize in particular. The Kuki-Chin individuals hold article of faith that the souls of their deceased ancestors rise from their graves and visit their family homes. The individuals supply tribute to the dead souls in variety of wine that’s naturally prepped from rice at each home. Other offerings include fresh vegetables, maize, bread made from maize and handmade symbolic jewelry. The dead souls also are worshiped by the villagers. The Mim Kut competition like most festivals of Nagas includes, tradition singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and proud display of culture.
HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL
The Mim Kut competition celebrates the annual harvest of the maize crop (Mim).The origin of the competition has its ties connected to the Kuki-Chin story of “Mim”. The original story explores the love and bond of two brothers when they were abandoned by their mother. Lendou and his younger brother shared a piece of Mim when their stomachs were wrought with hunger. It was Mim that got them through these misfortunes, brought them closer and taught them love. Mim is that the last harvest of the year within the Kuki-Chin society.The individuals summons their deceased ancestors and pays their respects on at the moment. They offer tokens of maize, jewelry, clothing, bread and rice wine. Half of the harvest is devoted and offered to the dead souls. It is customary to do so but not really mandatory. The souls of ancestors that have passed away are presumed to return to their homes during this festival. The competition has received wide recognition from the state and touristy department.
DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL
The competition is discovered within the later a part of Gregorian calendar month when the crop is harvested. It is celebrated every year. The festivities are celebrated for about two consecutive holidays.
HIGHLIGHTS/ IMPORTANT RITUALS OF THE FESTIVAL
- The Kuki-Chin folks do ceremonies to honor age recent traditions of this necessary Kuki-Chin competition.
- They also pay homage to the souls of their deceased ancestors.
- There are a unit extravagant dance performance and language performed by cultural teams from totally different villages with a non secular edge to them. Large traditional drums, long horns and other conventional instruments are used to produce harmonized cacophous music.
- The Mimkut State competition permits folks to hitch within the merriment and celebration of the Kuki-Chinsociety.
- The Kuki people exhibit their ethnic culture through art work that represents their roots.
- There is a unit various games, contests, fashion shows, talent hunt, voice hunt and other fun competition and activities along with musical rock concerts, food stalls, fairs and sports.
- The bride, at the side of the women from the village head resolute the forest early within the morning to cut fuel for a alter ceremony. This requires fresh firewood only. The men on the opposite hand head into the jungle to chop down an oversized tree. At evening the bride carries a tiny low piece of fuel and a bit of sliced wood and places it at the most gate and also the last gate of the village. The remaining individuals of the village enact out identical ceremony when the bride completes the ritual.
- The fourth and the last day are known as Rodi. This day is full of joy and celebration. Men partake in wrestling and jumping competitions. The winner is obliged to make a cash donation to the high priest. The rest is followed by singing and dancing. Songs of love and longevity are sung.
Mim Kut Festival is a post harvest festival celebrated in Nagaland, North East India and also in other parts of Mizoram. The festival is celebrated and honored by the Kuki Nagas. It is one amongst the various fashionable festivals of Nagaland. The celebration is ostentatious and is of vital essence to the Kuki-Chin tribe. It expresses joy and triumphant over the harvest of Mim (Maize), which is the last harvest crop for the season. The festival celebrates the harvest of maize in particular. The Kuki-Chin
Individuals hold article of faith that the souls of their deceased ancestors rise from their graves and visit their family homes. The individuals supply tribute to the dead souls in variety of wine that’s naturally prepped from rice at each home. Other offerings include fresh vegetables, maize, bread made from maize and handmade symbolic jewelry. The dead souls also are worshiped by the
Villagers. The Mim Kut competition like most festivals of Nagas includes, tradition singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and proud display of culture.
HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL
The Mim Kut competition celebrates the annual harvest of the maize crop (Mim).The origin of the competition has its ties connected to the Kuki-Chin story of “Mim”. The original story explores the love and bond of two brothers when they were abandoned by their mother. Lendou and his younger brother shared a piece of Mim when their stomachs were wrought with hunger.It was Mim that got them through these misfortune, brought them closer and taught them love. Mim is that the last harvest of the year within the Kuki-Chin society. The individuals summon their deceased ancestors and pay their respects on at the moment. They offer tokens of maize, jewelry, clothing, bread and rice wine. Half of the harvest is devoted and offered to the dead souls. It is customary to do so but not really mandatory. The souls of ancestors that have passed away are presumed to return to their homes during this festival. The competition has received wide recognition from the state and touristy department.
DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL
The competition is discovered within the later a part of Gregorian calendar month when the crop is harvested. It is celebrated every year. The festivities are celebrated for about two consecutive holidays
HIGHLIGHTS/ IMPORTANT RITUALS OF THE FESTIVAL
- The Kuki people carry out ceremonies to honor age old traditions of this important Kuki festival.
- They also pay homage to the souls of their deceased ancestors.
- There are extravagant dance performance and signing performed by cultural groups from different villages with a religious edge to them. Large traditional drums, long horns and other conventional instruments are used to produce harmonized cacophous music.
- The Mimkut State festival allows people to join in the merriment and celebration of the Kuki society.
- The Kuki people exhibit their ethnic culture through art work that represents their roots.
- There are numerous games, contests, fashion shows, talent hunt, voice hunt and other fun competition and activities along with musical rock concerts, food stalls, fairs and sports.