Manipuri Matchmaking
In the olden days, for the men and women belonging to the Manipuri community, fields provide a perfect opportunity to select their life partners. After life partners have been chosen by the men and women of different tribe, they have to follow certain norms which will lead up to marriage.
Hainaba is the first step, where parents of the boys meet the parents of the girls. The second step is Yaathang Thaanaba where the girl's parents approve the match. Waroipot Puba is the third step where food items like seasonal fruits, betel nuts and leaves, coconuts, kabok (a local sweet delicacy), etc are brought by the boy's family members and the wedding date is eventually finalized.
According to Manipuri customary laws, once the Waroipot Puba has been carried out, the bride is already considered married and a part of the groom's family. In the olden days, the groom's family had to provide all the bride's basic needs from food to clothing until the final marriage.
It is interesting that after Waroipot, none of the two marriage parties can't break the marriage and if caught doing so, the offended party can move the land's laws, including the present laws provided by the Indian Constituition.
Heijingpot is the last ritual which can be considered as the formal engagement of the bride and groom. On this day, parents of both the bride and the groom exchange fruits placed on a kharai (kharai is a low-necked and broad basket). Heijingpot is also therefore, known as Heijing Kharai Puba.
The marriage ceremony or Luhongba normally takes place after two days of Heijingpot.
This age old tradition is believed to have been started by Atiya Guru Shidaba, the main deity of the Manipuris, during His marriage to Goddess Ima Leimarel Shidabi.
Source : - india.mapsofindia.com
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