Miu, referred to as the dividing line between merrymaking season and the start of working season, is an important festival of Khaimggan tribe. It falls on the first week of May and is held at
Tuensang, in
Nagaland.
Miu is generally celebrated to make close-knit relation between the maternal uncle and his nephews and niece. During the festival, the maternal uncle offers special prayers to invoke the deity for the longevity and prosperity of his niece and nephews.
On this day, niece and nephews visit their uncle's house to seek his blessings, with gift items such as clothes, fermented breweries and cooked or uncooked meat. Miu Festival is considered an occasion of forgive and forget between maternal uncle and his niece and nephew. In an instance, if uncle does not pardon them, their lives are believed to be in shambles.
Miu Festival is of special significance, as it marks the sowing of crops in the field. Special pujas and prayers are performed in the fields on this day. The main offerings to the deity include the flesh and blood of animals, along with other food stuffs.
