Sowing fest celebrated with full spirit in Jowai amid COVID-19 lockdown

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 19, 2020

The Pnar’s sowing festival – “Chad Sukra” was celebrated with restraints this time amid lockdown due to COVID-19 crisis.  

All public cultural activities related to the festival are being restricted indoors.

People of Jowai on Saturday observed the festival within the boundary of their home in accordance with tradition by maintaining social distancing norms.

The Chad Sukra was organized by the Arts and Culture Department of the Sein Raij, Jowai. It may be mentioned here that the Chad Sukra festival was revived in 2006 after a gap of many years. 

“It is for the first time that the Chad Sukra is being observed within the domain of the home due to the ongoing lockdown,” said OR Challam, president of the Sein Raij. 

He said the people of Sein Raij like any other religious institutions too have the right to observe their own festival but by strictly adhering to the WHO and government’s advisories. 

“We hope that the festival will bring us prosperity, good harvest and good health,” Challam said. Chad Sukra festival is performed annually by the indigenous Pnar people especially those belonging to Niamtre or the traditional faith. The Pnars believes that one should offer a prayer to God before sowing activities so that their crops will be protected from all kinds of natural calamities.