3. Lai Haraoba rites
Lai-Haraoba Rites Humans and trees have had a deep relationship throughout time. All of us depend on forests for our survival. All the activities we do directly or indirectly involve forests. Besides providing livelihood and habitat for humans and animals they also maintain climate, prevent soil erosion and most importantly they also absorbs harmful gases. So it is very important for us to protect and conserve them. Lai-Haraoba Since ancient times, forest conservation in Meetei society were very unique. We have a tradition of maintaining and conserving our sacred forests, groves and trees. Each locality celebrates a festival called Lai - Haraoba which means ‘merry making of God’. It is observed in the honor of Umang Lai. Umang Lai are the sacred tress preserved for the local forest deities. The time and duration of celebrating this festival depends from locality to locality but it generally falls during spring to summer season. It ...