'Wanna': A festival of the Mandi people

Mandis of all ages actively take part in the festival. Photo: Amirul Rajiv

Celebrated since ancient times, the festival has been an annual feature in most of the Mandi villages, but the time and date vary from one locality to another. Only a few years ago, the impact of modern civilisation and interventions by other socio-political forces threatened the cultural identity of the Mandis. But in 2003 some Sangsarek (members of the community upholding the traditional Mandi belief) felt the need to preserve and promote the heritage of the community and decided to arrange the festival.

The festival was held at the house of Jonik Nokrek, a 97-year-old revered Mandi who spearheads the cultural revitalisation effort. A thanksgiving festival to the Mandi deities Misi-Saljong, it ran for three days. During the festival many traditional Mandi rituals were performed.

The festival began with Rakkashi amua. Rakkashi is the goddess of meteors. A structure is made of bamboo for the ritual. This ritual is performed to appease the goddess so she does not destroy crops. Performing rituals such as Rugala keeps people safe from danger. Khamal (the priest) performs the rituals. After Rugala is performed at the house of the chief, the devotees go from one house to another, performing songs and dance throughout the night. People are treated with Chu (rice beer). Before dawn, the symbolic house of Jamm (grim reaper) is burnt in Delaingshua. Wancichokka, a ritual is performed where newly harvested rice is put on banana leaves. Only after the ritual can the Mandis start using the rice. In this ritual the Khamal perform a war dance known as Greeka.

During the second day Rong dik do rasatta is performed. Blood and feathers of chicken are put in the granaries. In Jolana, a group dance is performed and Rangs (musical instruments) are collected. Locally brewed rice beer flows freely. Mandis perform a dance called Gorirua accompanying ajia (songs) to invoke the deities for the next festival.

On the last day all Mandis along with guests from other communities perform Greeka, dance of joy, war and victory. Bishiri watta is the farewell ceremony for the gods and goddesses who return to their homeland after the harvesting season. The festival ends with Katigala by playing all the musical instruments.

Like other diversified cultural practices of Mandi, Wanna is linked with their traditional jum cultivation. As the woods are the womb of Mandi culture, essentially the festival reflects the beauty and diversity of forest life.