Manipur seeks UNESCO recognition for Lai Haraoba festival

Imphal: The Manipur government has submitted a proposal to UNESCO to recognize the traditional Lai Haraoba festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

‘Lai- Haraoba,’  a traditional Meitei religious festival of ritual dance and musical theatre is celebrated annually in honour of the forest deities (Umang Lais).

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M Joy Singh, IAS Commissioner, Art and Culture, Government of Manipur said that the Department of Art and Culture through Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, has sent a proposal to inscribe ‘Lai- Haraoba’ on the Representative List of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on October 14, 2024.

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This effort follows in the footsteps of 'Nat Sankirtan,' a traditional Meitei performing art form that was successfully inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.

The Manipuri phrase Lai Haraoba translates to "merry-making of the gods" in English. It is a traditional religious festival celebrated by the Meitei community in Manipur, India