Legend of Charai Taba in Andro, Manipur
Manipur has always been an undiscovered tourist gem in India. There has been no shortage of unique tourist spots or foods to try when you’re there. Trust us, we know. However, there is one place that represents the ancient creativity and tasteful cultural heritage of Manipuri tribes even more so.
Go ahead. Discover this undiscovered craft in India:
The Andro village- with its small group of tribe people who practice their prized heritage craft of pottery to this day. This is a rare form of pottery called Charai Taba, a celebrated art form of making pottery that is still ongoing in the village.
Whether you choose indigenous brews and traditional handicrafts, or old folk lore of ancient temples and ruins, you won’t want to sit still when you see the breathtaking beauteous view that Andro is famous for.
Origin of Andro Village and the Eternal Flame
The name of the village is believed to be originated from the word ‘handro’, where the literal translation of handro is ‘the village of the people who returned’. It is said that when a King pushed residents of Imphal valley to convert to Hinduism from the 1700s onwards, a minor group of Meiteis chose to become social castaways so that they could continue to practice their native Sanamahi faith.
A few centuries later, the Meiteis returned to claim their homeland and it came to be known as Andro village. King Poireiton of the Khuman clan worshipped the deity Panam Ningthou by lighting an eternal fire dedicated to the deity. From then on, the village assigns every 2 households the responsibility of managing the sacred fire for one day. Two other households take on this duty the following day, continuing this process throughout the year until every house has fulfilled this responsibility at least once annually.
The citizens of Andro practice several handicrafts skillfully while maintaining a down-to-earth, warm, and humble demeanor. They dedicate themselves to upholding and preserving their customs and traditions. Hence, it became the reason why the residents founded a cultural complex-cum-museum that has become the best location in the village for exhibition.
What is Charai Taba?
Charai Taba, also known as coil pottery, is a way of making clay pots by making and stacking loops of clay (called Charais) and molding them together one by one to form the shape and curves of a pot. A Charai Taba potter uses a flat stone and a bat instead of the pottery wheel to beat the clay into shape. Instead, they use the pottery wheel for precision molding than to give the pot its shape.
The artisan uses the flat-surfaced bat to mold the clay into the desired design, then sun-dries it for 4 days before baking it in a fire. The artisans apply a unique shine to the pottery works by using a natural dye produced from the bark of a local tree. Additionally, they craft pots, vases, lamps, and piggy banks.
They work without any kind of motor, relying only on their handiwork skills. Generations of married women make and pass down Charai Taba, typically from mother-in-laws to young brides. Married women take up this craft only after undergoing a traditional ceremony called Thou Chanba, which assigns the job. It does not allow unmarried women and girls to do it.
Tradition Meets Culture: The Significance of Pottery, Yu Brew, and Rituals in Andro, Manipur
The pots are various varieties of traditional pots like Pudond Makhong, Wangkham, Kambi, Kambi Makhong Panba, Walom, Ngangkha, Yukhum, and Eshaiphuetc. The Meiteis have been using these pots over the centuries for cooking, saving seeds, and drinking water. They also use the pots to store Yu, which is a sacred, local alcoholic rice brew.
Yu is very important and used in almost every Sanamahi ritual- from birth ceremonies, marriages and death ceremony.
Even though Andro is a dry town, authorities allow its citizens to continue brewing their Yu because of the deep connections between Yu, culture, pottery, and religion. Thanks to the recent wave of Indian travel rising after the serious developments in the area, the footfalls of tourist have been increasing in Andro, Manipur.
This hidden gem of Manipur promises visitors a serene and tranquil vacation spot anytime they visit, offering a nature park, an orchid farm, a museum, and access to the reservoir.
So don’t wait anymore to book the best cheap flights with us for all airlines flights. Visit now!
Also Read: Top 16 Hidden Gems To Visit In Himachal
