Hiyang Tannaba ( Meitei: ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯇꯥꯟꯅꯕ, lit. 'boat race') [1] is a traditional boat race ceremony performed in Manipur, India as a part of the religious festival of Lai Haraoba. [2] [3] It is generally organized in the month of November at many places including Thangapat ( moat). [1] [2] The boats called Hiyang Hiren are regarded as invested with spiritual powers and the game is associated with religious rites. [1] [4] The Meiteis believe that the worship of the Hiyang Hiren will bring protection from evil spirits. [1]
The Hiyang Tannaba festival has been celebrated since the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (c. 33 AD) in Kangleipak kingdom. [5]
Hiyang Tannaba ( Meitei: ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯇꯥꯟꯅꯕ, lit. 'boat race') [1] is a traditional boat race ceremony performed in Manipur, India as a part of the religious festival of Lai Haraoba. [2] [3] It is generally organized in the month of November at many places including Thangapat ( moat). [1] [2] The boats called Hiyang Hiren are regarded as invested with spiritual powers and the game is associated with religious rites. [1] [4] The Meiteis believe that the worship of the Hiyang Hiren will bring protection from evil spirits. [1]
The Hiyang Tannaba festival has been celebrated since the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (c. 33 AD) in Kangleipak kingdom. [5]