Mireuyi Herie
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Hega festival is one of the most important and the biggest festivals among the Zeliang community. It falls in the month of February 10-15 every year. It is the festival invoking the almighty God to shower his blessings upon his people with richness, luck and courage. It is also a festival of joy, rest and get-together. On this day people pray to almighty God for protection and guidance.On this festival young couples are united for their future. The festival is announced earlier and all the preparation are done before – hand. The festival begin with a variety of programs and merrymaking.
First day (Hega Teu Dap) : On this day, all the killing of animal for festival are done in every household and those who have no such animal either buy or share with other member. On this day itself the eldest of the family call all his grandsons and daughters for a common meal to his house. Here they share special songs which are composed especially for their grandsons and daughters. The Grandsons and daughters have to wear new shawls for the special occasion. In the evening, the engaged couple, specially the bride, will present all the traditional dress like shawl and other garments. Together with the boys and the elders there will be a common gathering at the bridegrooms Morung (The bride and the bridegroom are included)
Second day (Herie Kap) : on the second day of the festival the gatekeeper of the main gate will have a special and separate prayer invoking the protection of the almighty to the villagers and to shower his blessings in all walks of life for the year to come.
After the prayer, he would go to a jungle and there also he would also offer special prayer asking god to show him the right tree for the sacrifice. When it is shown the youth will cut it and shape it into a hornbill and put it up in the main gate with decoration and other necessary things. In the evening, the elders and the boys will make noise (Nro) and go up and down the whole village for two or three times and at the end they will try to pierce the heart of the wooden hornbill. If they manage it then it is good luck.
Richness and blessing will be bestowed on his children. After this all men and boys will gather in their own Morung to offer special prayer for good luck in hunting.
Third Day (Tsing Rak) : On this day early in the morning, the brides will gather all the girls from her Khel. They will go to the jungle to cut firewood for the evening. This firewood is split into small pieces and the bark is also taken out. The firewood will be fresh only.
In the meantime, the elders and youth from the Khel will go to jungle and cut a big tree which is shaped after which colour is put on the two wooden pieces showing the purity and virginity of the bride. In the evening, the bride will carry the two wooden pieces which signify her life. The firewood and the wooden pieces are kept in the main gate or the last gate of the village. With this two heavy wooden pieces (ten to twelve in height) the bride will start from the gate and the rest of the girls and boys will carry the firewood and follow the bride to the girls Morung. On this night, the bridegroom will provide food and drinks to the girls in the Girl’s Morung. Fourth Day (Rodi) : The fourth day and the last day of the festival is the most important day of the festival. In the morning, the boy will prepare a place for long jump and wrestling (a place which is set apart by their (forefathers). On this day traditional dresses like shawls and other garments are worn. In the evening, all the villager will gather at the particular place where long jump and wresting takes place. The men and boys will make noise (Nro) and go up and down the village for 3 times. After this they will come to the jumping place and make noised two time again (invoking god to bless the villagers for their work). Then (Nro) the long jump will take place and after that the wrestling.
The winner of long jump will have to give in kind or in cash to the village high priest. Then there will be singing together with the bride up and down the village. The songs are of love praise and farewell to the bride and the bridegroom, especially to the bride, because she can never take part again in dance or in such practice. At night the bride visit each household encouraging them, boys and girls to take part in the dance. For the elders (men), she will prepare special soup from meat and give them for their health and strength to participate in the dance.
Last Day (Koksui) : It is the last and most important and exciting day of the festival. Here you will see early in the morning people putting on their traditional dress getting ready for the dance. The bride, together with some of their\ friends would go round the village and give bath to those who are unwilling to join the dance.
For the bride it is the last days in her life (a girl married cannot join the dance again). This dance can be participated only by virgin girls. For boys and men, whether they are married or not, they can dance all through their life if their health permit. The dance are performed in the evening with different steps and meaning. After the dance. All the dancer will go around the whole village singing and dancing, at some place they would play games and sing songs together with the bride and bridegroom.
From the first day of the festival a new fire is lit by the eldest from each Khel and these elders have to take only pork throughout the festival. Also, during the festival, no male should sleep with his wife for fear of losing good luck and courage especially in hunting.
On the sixth day, elders put off the new fire and celebrate. But the rest of the villager can start their work from that day onwards with all the blessing and luck from Almighty God who always care for his children.
