Kwaak Taanba Explained

Kwaak Taanba or Kwaak Jatra or Loidam Kumsaba or Crow freeing festival is an indigenous festival of Manipur, in which the King of Manipur releases a crow from his custody. The day falls on the 10th lunar day of Mera month of the Meitei calendar. The festival accompanies several rites and rituals, along with various divine dance and music performances held at the Sana Konung, the Royal Palace of Manipur at Imphal.

The setting free of the crow is performed at the Thangapat, the Royal Moat, in Imphal. The main purpose of the festival is to bring prosperity and good luck in the region. It's performed since time immemorial.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Earlier form

Earlier, the festival was known as Loidam Kumsaba and instead of crow, the pheasant bird (locally called Nonggoubi) was used for the festival.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kwak Tanba : 29th sep09 ~ E-Pao! Headlines. e-pao.net. 2019-12-11.
2. Web site: Kwak Tanba ritual performed – Manipur News. manipur.org. 2019-12-11.
3. Web site: Titular King wishes people on Kwak Tanba : 20th oct18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines. e-pao.net. 2019-12-11.
4. Web site: Kwak tanba performed : 15th oct13 ~ E-Pao! Headlines. e-pao.net. 2019-12-11.