Mizoram is set to celebrate its much-loved spring festival, Chapchar Kut, from March 9, with a week-long programme of cultural, social and traditional events across the state. Officials said the decision was taken at a meeting of the Spring Festivals Organising Committee chaired by Chief Minister Lalduhoma. Chapchar Kut is one of the biggest and most vibrant festivals of Mizoram and holds deep cultural and historical importance for the Mizo people. The festival marks the completion of the most labour-intensive phase of jhum cultivation, when farmers finish clearing forests and wait for the sowing season to begin. It is traditionally a time of rest, joy and community bonding. The celebrations will formally begin with ‘Kut Rur’ on March 9. As in previous years, the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) will prepare special T-shirts for participants to promote unity and participation among the youth.
On March 10, a range of activities will be organised, including exhibitions of handicrafts, handloom products and traditional artefacts. A food court showcasing local Mizo cuisine will also be set up, giving visitors a chance to experience the traditional flavours of the state. A flower show is scheduled to be held on the same day, adding colour and visual appeal to the festivities. Several cultural programmes have been lined up for March 11. Painting and photo exhibitions, along with a film screening, will be organised at two venues in Aizawl—Vanapa Hall and the Information and Public Relations Department’s Lianchhiari Run Hall. These events are expected to highlight Mizo culture, history and contemporary artistic expression. In addition, a living museum will be set up at Zokhua in Falkawn village, around 15 km from Aizawl, on March 11 and 12. Officials said the living museum will give visitors an opportunity to see and understand traditional Mizo village life, customs and practices in a natural setting.
The main Chapchar Kut celebration will be held at Lammual ground in Aizawl on March 13. Chief Minister Lalduhoma will attend the event as the ‘Kut Pa’, or father of the festival, while Art and Culture Minister C Lalsawivunga will serve as the ‘Kut Thlengtu’, or host of the celebrations. This year’s festival will also see a notable change. Officials said the traditional practice of erecting a bamboo barricade at the main venue to restrict entry will not be followed, marking a move towards a more open and inclusive celebration. The organising committee has chosen “Mizo Code of Ethics: Peace” as the theme of this year’s Chapchar Kut, reflecting the state’s emphasis on harmony, values and social responsibility. The Chief Minister’s Trophy, carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh along with a citation and memento, will also be presented during the celebrations. Chapchar Kut will not be limited to the capital alone. The festival will be observed in various parts of Mizoram, with local communities organising their own programmes and cultural events. Historians trace the origin of Chapchar Kut back nearly 500 years to a village called Suhpi in present-day Myanmar. Although the festival was discouraged during the early missionary period in the late 19th century, it was revived on a large scale in 1973 and has since become a strong symbol of Mizo cultural identity.
