Yaoshang is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Manipur and it evokes fond memories in each of us and with much vigor in the case of members of the Manipuri diaspora – outside the state or abroad – having left home and hearth. Every year Manipuri diaspora around the world yearn to be home celebrating the festival with friends and families but due to unavoidable responsibilities cannot make the trip back home. But this year, Manipuri diaspora residing in San Francisco Bay Area resolved to fulfill our wishes to an extend and brought Yaoshang to the American soil for the first time!!!!
The first ever Yaoshang festival in the United States was celebrated in Sunnyvale Baylands Park, California on 7th of March 2015 where about 40-50 diaspora members of all ages participated to the fullest extent in the true spirit of Yaoshang. The festival was kicked off with the ceremonial torch run as is the practise in our home state of Manipur and it was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike who took part in the run. Some of the participants had not experienced Yaoshang sports meet before. It was their first torch run and will be a memorable one. We are exhilarated to see that the tradition of this festival will be passed on to them and observed for generations to come.
Following the torch ceremony, a friendly soccer match was organized between two teams: Blue and Red. It was an intense match. Talented players fiercely clashed for the winner’s title but in the end, the Red team overcame the Blue team to win the match. The soccer match was followed by a feast of savory Manipuri delicacies.
Yaoshang is never complete without organizing events for iche, ichal and kids. Specially for those of us who grew up in Manipuri, winning prizes as kids in Yaoshang festival whether in “chaphuthougaibi” or “mathematic race” gave us self-worth and a sense of distinctive accomplishment – one which we aspired to impart to the younger generation. Events such as “marble lamjel”, sprint, musical chair were held and it was enthralling to see the kids participate and rejoice.
Our iche/ichal also wholeheartedly participated in events such as “chaphuthugaibi”, “marble race”, “thourichinganbi”, “In-n-out”, “bora lamjel”. Finally, the sports meet concluded with prize distribution ceremony chaired by our respected elderspabungHanjabamNandiram,pabungNgangomRastrapati Singh, imaR.k. Latamani Devi and imaShinmiLollydistributed medals to the winners. All the kids received consolation prizes for their enthusiastic participation.
This is the first of the many Yaoshang Festivals that will be organized in the coming years to pass on the tradition to the younger generation and keep it alive.
“Oceans away we are from the cradle of our Motherland but in our hearts and minds we will keep the flames of our heritage burning.” – Manipuri Diaspora in USA
