Tangkhul community sees good omen in Shirui snowfall

Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul,  Feb 8 : The heavy snowfall at Shirui village in Ukhrul district on February 7 has been welcomed by the people of the district as the Tangkhul community has a strong belief that "timely and heavy snowfall at Shirui mountain" is a clear indication of a good beginning of the year.
For the Tangkhul community, the Shirui mountain is not just the abode of State flower "Shirui Lily" but a symbol for natural prediction to indicate the annual climate cycle for a good or bad year, especially for yearly food crops for the people of Ukhrul.
Speaking to this correspondent, a 98 year old man Seikhap Luikham (98) of Alungtang elaborated on the traditional beliefs and the significance of Horam Kaship (snow fall) in Shirui mountain.
According to him, heavy snowfall at Shirui mountain indicates a bountiful harvest in that particular year for the natives of Ukhrul. The heavier the snowfall, the better will be the harvest, he added.
Seikhap also mentioned that in the past, whenever there was rainfall between January and  February, the villagers would be anxious to know about the snowfall at Shirui mountain peak as it represented a good beginning of the new year with a bountiful harvest.
Another elderly person HA Wungnaopam (68) of Awontang, Ukhrul stated that the snowfall in Shirui also indicates the end of winter season and the beginning of new season.
According to Shirui villagers, about 6-8 inches of snow covered the village periphery yesterday. The snowfall lasted for at least 2 hours, covering the entire village under a thick blanket of white snow.
According to sources, snowfall occurred at different isolated locations of Ukhrul villages including Halang, Phungcham, Tashar, etc.