Chapchar Kut Festival is celebrated in the month of March every year by the people of Mizoram. Chapchar Kut celebrates the arrival of spring. It is a seven days harvest festival and it is considered to be the most important traditional festival of Mizoram and has a distinctive identity of being on of the oldest festivals of Mizoram. Chapchar kut is celebrated with gusto and fanfare and people of Mizoram engross themselves into an infinite aura of merriment during this festival.
Chapchar Kut Origin
It is believed that Chapchar Kut existed in the land of Mizoram from the era of 1450 to 1600. Chapchar kut is celebrated before the onset of the sowing season. After February Mizos prepare the land for fresh planting. During this time jungles are cleared, bamboos and trees are cut down, and the land is prepared for jhum cultivation. The cut trees and bamboos are left for drying in the sun before being burnt. This gives the farmers a few days of respite and this free period is celebrated as Chapchar kut.
This is a period of relaxation as the framers do not have much to do and so spend the time in festivities before the serious business of sowing starts. It is believed that during ancient times people would go for hunting and kill wild animals and catch fish for the feasts. They would also indulge in drinking sessions. It was a time to resolve all the disputes and enjoy the celebrations. During this time music and dance was also an intricate part of this festival. During this season the cold winter gives way for colourful spring season and brings along with it new freshness in the air.
How is Chapchar Kut Celebrated?
The festival is celebrated for seven days and calls for fun and revelry. People organise a big feast in the month of March to celebrate the success in jhum cutting. The festival begins with Kut Puipate or the inauguration ceremony. First day of the festival is called Lushai Vawk Tlah Ni during which pigs are killed by the members of the chief's clan for the feast. On the second day, members of the other clans in the village would kill their pigs for the village feast. The third day is known as Kut day and people spend the night in drinking, singing and dancing. The fourth day is known as Zupui Ni. On this day liquor called Zupui made from well husked rice is served and people spend the evening by singing and dancing. The last day is called the Ziapur Ni. This is a day for taking rest after eating and drinking. However modern version of Chapchar Kut has done away with liquor.
During Chapchar kut Mizos get dressed in their colourful costumes irrespective of ages and celebrates the festival. Musial performances are a major attraction during Chapchar kut and another major attraction of the fest is the colourful Cheraw dance or the bamboo dance. Along with the bamboo dance some other dance forms performed during Chapchar Kut include Khuallam, Chheihlam, Chai and Sarlamkai. During the festival exhibitions which showcase the Handloom and Handicraft products are held along with and other events like musical competitions, flower shows and food festivals.