Yaoshang Diaries

Yaoshang is one of the most beautiful and meaningful festivals celebrated in Manipur. It is observed for five days during the spring season and begins on the full moon day of the Manipuri month of Lamta, March. For the people of Manipur, Yaoshang is not just a festival; it is a time when communities come together to celebrate tradition, friendship, and the joy of being with one another.

The festival begins with a traditional ritual known as Yaoshang Mei-Thaba. Just after sunset, a small straw hut is burned in every leikai or locality. This symbolic act marks the official start of the celebration. Soon after, children begin visiting houses to collect small monetary donations called Naka-Theng. It is a simple but heartwarming tradition that spreads happiness among children and elders alike.

Yaoshang is truly the most important festival of my beloved state. Every year people celebrate it with excitement through sports competitions, music, dance, and social gatherings. During these five days, every corner of the state feels lively and energetic.

However, over the past few years the celebration of Yaoshang had not been the same as before. The COVID-19 pandemic and uncertain situations in the state made it difficult for people to celebrate the festival properly. Many activities were limited, and the festive atmosphere felt incomplete.

This year, however, feels different. After the formation of the new government and the lifting of PR on the 4th of February, the overall atmosphere in the state seems more hopeful. Yaoshang appears to be returning with its true spirit.

Although fewer children came for Naka-Theng this year compared to earlier times, the energy of the festival was still very much alive. Sports events, Esing Heinaba, and Thabal Chongba were organized in many places, bringing people together once again.

With that background, I would like to share my personal experiences from each day of this year's Yaoshang.

First Day

I woke up early in the morning, even though I wanted to sleep a little longer, because I have a task to complete every morning.

In the morning, I gave some money for Naka-Theng to a few children. When Ema noticed this, she laughed and jokingly said that normally people do not give Naka-Theng before the burning of the Yaoshang hut. She playfully told me that I was doing things earlier than usual.

I explained to Ema that I had already exchanged some ₹10 and ₹20 notes from the bank the previous week so that I could give money to the children who would come asking for Naka-Theng. Hearing this, she smiled warmly and said, "Are you sure? What day is today. It’s a good sign that you are growing up and becoming more thoughtful. Let us pray to God and offer something on this auspicious day."

Around eight in the morning, I dropped Ema near Imphal Hospital on RIMS Road at Nagamapal. From there, ChiChe picked her up and took her to his house because Mabok had called her regarding some work related to Bachou’s illness.

(Sometimes I feel like I am worth less and I don’t want to stay at home. Instead, I want to stay at Mabok’s house or MamMo’s house, disappear from the noise, and focus on preparing for my career and everything ahead. Even when I feel lost, I am still trying to figure things out and regain the best version of myself. I am still trying for a few people who matter to me so that they can live peacefully and happily.)

Later in the afternoon, I was alone at home. I called my friend AM and asked him to come over. After he arrived, we spent some time talking about random topics. While chatting, I also managed to wash a few clothes.

After that, at 2:00 P.M., we went to pick up my brother from his office. From there we visited my friend GN’s house. His father gave us two chickens. He kindly told us to cook them at home and share the meal with Pipi.

After returning home, I called my mother and asked her to come home early because children might soon come asking for Naka-Theng. I then took a bath and prepared to go out for some work. Before leaving, I told my brother to stay at home and give money to the children if they arrived before I came back.

At around 4 P.M., I met a companion and we spent some time talking. We then went to Vishal at Chingmeirong to buy a few essential items and also check the prices of traveller bags.

After finishing our shopping, we went to Cha Imphal, Thangmeiband. As usual, I ordered fried rice. My companion laughed and said that I always order fried rice whenever we go out. I jokingly replied that as a Manipuri, I never feel satisfied without rice no matter what other food I eat. We both laughed.

At that moment, I quietly thought about how kind my companion is. Sometimes I may become impatient or rude, but my companion is always calm and patient. In my heart, I prayed that God would always keep my companion safe and protected.

When I returned home, my brother and a few friends were already there waiting for dinner. Before eating, my mother, my brother, and I prayed together.

Later that night, Pipi and my mother went to Keishampat where Thabal Chongba was taking place. After finishing dinner, I also went there to check on Pipi.

Watching Pipi happily enjoying Thabal Chongba made me feel very happy. Since I do not have my own sister, the way she treats me like her brother fills my heart with warmth.

After spending some time there, I went with my friend BT and two others to another Thabal Chongba spot at Langjing Achou. 

While entering the ground, I almost tripped over a bamboo pole. BT jokingly said, "Nangdi handak chahi gi ahanba Thabal sidi phajana chonglene."

It was too funny to hear.

Later, while walking around the ground, I accidentally kicked a bottle lying on the ground. BT joked again, "Nangdi Thabal gi mahut bottle oina kaorabara."

After watching Thabal for some time, we dropped our friends at their hostel and then returned home. By the time I reached home it was around 12:40 at night. I went straight to bed and quickly fell asleep.

Second Day

On the second day, I noticed that fewer children were coming for Naka Theng than I had expected.

My friend SL and I had planned to meet the previous day, but due to some work we could not manage it. But today, SL came to pick me up and we went to Popa Restaurant to collect a cake for his parents’ wedding anniversary.

After placing the cake at his house, we began our journey from Heirangoithong towards Kwakeithel and continued our drive toward Moirang around 1:30 in the afternoon.

Before starting the long drive, we bought some chips and drinks to enjoy along the way.

Since it was Yaoshang, many groups of girls were standing along the roadside collecting money Peisa-Thatpa, which helps organize Thabal Chongba events in their localities.

From Kwakeithel all the way to Moirang, we encountered many such groups. There were so many that almost all the cash around ₹1.5k we carried was gone by the time we reached our destination. Still, we happily contributed because Yaoshang comes only once a year.

It was not about how much money we had. It was simply about enjoying the festival and supporting its spirit.

Because of these frequent stops, we reached Moirang around 5 P.M.

After that, SL and I went to his house. There I met the father of my close friend Mcky. He asked me to meet Mama(Mcky's mother) for a moment.

I also wanted to meet her because it had been a long time since we last saw each other. Mcky and SL are cousins, and both of them are my good friends. Mcky is currently studying MBA in another state.

When Mama saw me, she welcomed me warmly and said to me Echa B****t lak a. I felt emotional and happy to see her again after such a long time.

She asked kindly about my family, my mother’s health, and my brother. She also mentioned that Mcky had told her that I had been going through some difficulties in previous year.

I was a little surprised, but I replied honestly that everyone was doing well and shared some of my thoughts and experiences. Mama gave me many encouraging words and spoke very positively about me. We talked for more than an hour.

Later, I told Mama that I needed to leave because SL and I had plans to attend a Thabal Chongba program.

She smiled and said gently, "Go, go, Echa B****t. Phajan na chongluro."

That evening I also had dinner at SL's house for the first time because it was his parents' anniversary celebration. SL insisted that I eat, although I felt a little shy.

Later that night around 8 P.M., SL, AM, my brother, and I drove toward the Thoubal side to watch Thabal Chongba. However, I was feeling quite tired, so I rested in the car while they went to watch the dance.

When I woke up later, I realized that we had already reached Mayang Imphal.

I was surprised and said, "Let's go to another Thabal spot!"

Everyone laughed and said, "You are really good at sleeping. How on earth did you sleep so peacefully without even snoring?"

Also added, "Nang natom da oina chatluro pung sing sida."

When I checked the time, it was already 12:30 a.m.

SL was hungry, so he suggested going to Al Hayat, which is open 24 hours.

My stomach was already full that day, so I only ate one plain paratha.

Seeing this, SL was surprised and said, "Bro, I know you very well. You usually eat a lot. What happened today? Are you shy to eat?"

I replied that my stomach was full because I had eaten many chips and drank Coca-Cola and nimbu pani earlier.

Actually, I normally eat a lot, but that day I did not feel very hungry.

After that, SL dropped us home and we said Happy Yaoshang and parted ways for the night.

Third Day

The third day was perhaps one of the most exciting days of the festival for me.

SL came to pick up my brother and me around 12:30 in the afternoon. We first visited our MamMo’s house to collect Naka-Theng and took blessings from MamMo.

After that, we picked up our friends AM and AK and drove along the Imphal-Moreh Road, also known as National Highway 102.

There were also many groups of girls (Peisa Thatpa) along the highway, and there were several traffic jams. We happily gave money to every group. That day was truly exciting.

At one point we stopped the car around Wangjing or Heirok, I am not exactly sure and joined the celebration by playing with colored powder. We lightly applied the powder on the girls’ faces too. The atmosphere was full of festival energy.

As evening came and the sky slowly became dark, SL and AK became a little high.

We drove slowly, talking about life, careers, and the challenges men face in the future - responsibilities, family expectations, and financial struggles, and the pressures that young men often feel as we grow older.

We sang songs, talked deeply about life, and shared our thoughts while driving.

AK later got a little hangover and even vomited in the car haha...

He became emotional and told us that his mother had been sick for more than a month and had been admitted to the hospital. He shared how difficult those days were for him.

Listening to him made us realize how life can be heavy sometimes.

SL dropped us home around 8:20 p.m., and we said good night.

Fourth Day

Babupa, who was a very close friend of my late father, called my brother and me to visit his house. We had not visited them for many months.

When we arrived, Babupa warmly welcomed us and gave both of us Naka-Theng. That moment felt very emotional because it reminded me of my father and the long relationship between our families. We spent some time talking with Babupa, his wife, and their son VK before returning home.

That day I did not feel like going out much, so I stayed at home resting while AM and my brother went to watch Thabal Chongba at night.

Fifth Day

The final day of Yaoshang was quiet during the daytime, but the night became memorable.

At  8:10 PM , SL came to pick us up. We first went to Koirengei and then drove to Wangjing because SL wanted to meet a friend who was attending Thabal Chongba there.

At the Wangjing Thabal ground, I pointed at a girl and jokingly told AM, "Look at that girl, asi pairaga chong o vy."

AM replied, "Let’s go together and dance for one round."

But I could not do it because I do not know how to dance Thabal properly.

AM went and danced beautifully. We all smiled when he returned. SL also met one of his friends there. The atmosphere was amazing.

However, the Thabal ended early peacefully, probably due to certain restrictions.

Later we went to a nearby meat hotel and ordered chicken curry. I was extremely hungry that night, so I ate quite a lot.

Later we drove back through Mayai Lambi Road via Thoubal, searching for another Thabal Chongba spot. But it was already 1:00 A.M., and most Thabal had finished.

Inside the car we spent time singing songs and talking about life. We sang many songs including Pangthakhare, Kinnara, Pubiyu, Nongdol by Chand, Jo tum mere ho, Young Dumb and Broke, Thawai Wo,Be with You, Arms Around You by XXXtentacion, Payphone, Blinding Lights, and Forever by Chris Brown, etc.

When I played the song "The Man Who Can’t Be Moved" by The Script, SL said to me, "What the hell are you playing? I don't want to hear this song right now. It makes me feel something, bro. Play another song."

I also kind of hate this song, but I still played it because it is beautiful in its own way.

At that moment, I started thinking about myself. Sometimes we guys may appear rude, aggressive, or even like bad people, but deep down, somewhere in our hearts, many of us are broken. We guys cannot easily say it or express it directly, so we end up feeling the pain quietly by ourselves.

While we were heading home along,

SL suddenly asked me, "Bro, why do we worry so much about the future even though it is unpredictable?"

For a moment, I didn’t know how to answer. I thought about it for a while and then said, " Have you heard the phrase carpe diem ? It means to live in the present moment. We all know that life is uncertain. We may become good or bad, rich or poor, well-educated or not, perfect or imperfect. We don't even know what will happen in the next second. Yet somehow we keep moving forward, holding on to something we cannot fully explain. Maybe it is hope, or maybe it is simply the idea of the future that keeps us going."

What a beautiful moment that was.

We talked about life, family expectations, responsibilities, and our uncertain futures as we approach our mid-twenties.

Sometimes we became silent too, especially when conversations turned to heartbreak and past relationships. As men, we all experience heartbreak at some point in life.

Sometimes the car became silent as each of us reflected on our thoughts. The cool night air and the quiet road created a peaceful atmosphere.

At one point during the journey, I passed through Wangoi, a place that quietly holds many memories. It reminded me of a time when one of my close friends used to visit this area to meet his girlfriend. As the car moved slowly along the road, I looked at the familiar houses and streets around me. In that moment, a strange feeling of nostalgia ran through my heart, giving me goosebumps. It made me pause and reflect on how quickly time moves in our lives. Moments that once felt so present and lively have now quietly turned into memories. Standing there in thought, I realized once again how swiftly time flies, leaving behind only stories and memories that we carry with us.

Finally SL dropped us home. We shook hands, said goodbye, and promised to meet again soon.

Hello readers,

This year the festival felt lively again, but we should not forget the difficult situation our beloved state has experienced. While many people celebrated with joy, we must also remember those who are still struggling.

There are still internally displaced people living in relief camps, and their situation reminds us that our society still has many challenges to overcome.

As we celebrate festivals and enjoy life, we should also keep compassion in our hearts and continue hoping for peace, unity, and a better future for everyone.

And finally, I would like to leave you with a simple message.

"You never fail until you stop trying."