|
|
A Harvest Festival
The ceremony connected with first harvesting of the ripening paddy is
called 'Khong Kepang Kennyu'. It is one of the most important ceremonies
connected with agriculture. Without the observance of this ceremony no
harvesting of the new paddy takes place.
The Ritual
An old woman of the village goes to the paddy field, from which the first
harvesting of new rice is to be done at dawn. She takes with her some food
and rice beer, which she offers, to the spirit of the crops in the field.
After the offering she cuts down some rice ears and carries the ears in
the basket to the village. At night she eats the new rice after cooking.
The villagers may start reaping their paddy from the next day. The
ceremony is similar to the Assamese new rice harvesting ceremony called
'Lakhimi Ana'. But the Lakhimi Ana ceremony is connected with the
individual family while the 'Khong Kepang Kennyu' is connected with the
village. Secondly, the new rice, brought ceremoniously, is not consumed by
the Assamesse people on the very night. It is, on the other hand, kept
stored in the granary.