By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 26: The Tedim Chin Students’ Association (TCSA) Shillong Unit on Saturday celebrated the ‘Khawdo Pawi’, which is a harvest festival, at Chin Baptist Association, Multi-purpose Hall, Dongparmaw, Shillong.
Rich traditional attires of the Tedim-Chin, ‘Khawkhai Laam’ traditional dance, ‘PAWI PA’ — the most honoured man of the celebration — and ‘VAIMIM CIIM’ — traditional corn soup — were some of the highlights of the celebrations.
Addressing the gathering, the PAWIPA — Pu TS Mangpu, Honorary Subedar Major, Assam Regiment, highlighted the history and the importance of the ‘Khawdo Pawi’ to the cognate tribes of the Zomis. He reiterated that the harvesting festival is a token of thanks giving to the nature prior to the coming of Christianity among the Zomis society. However, the style of celebration has come to major change after the introduction of Christianity. This festival is now a thanksgiving ceremony to God for his blessings through the successful harvesting.
An exhortation and prayer for freshers, students and others present at gathering were conducted by Pastor Khup Lian Mang. The vote of thanks was proposed by Tg. Lian Biak Muan, secretary, TCYA, which was followed community feast with VAIMIM CIIM.
The Khawdo Pawi harvesting festival has been celebrated by Zo cognate tribes/communities comprising the Zomis, Mizos, Kukis, Tedim-Chin, Paite, Vaiphei, Simte, Gangte, Thangkhal, Zou etc., in October and November soon after the harvesting season is over. It is one of the most important festivals among Zo cognate tribes worldwide.