Lai Haraoba in Bangladesh

Lai Haraoba (Meitei: ꯂꯥꯏ ꯍꯔꯥꯎꯕ, Bengali: লাই হরাওবা) is a traditional cultural and religious festival celebrated by the Meitei people in Bangladesh. The festival honors the gods and spirits of Sanamahism, the traditional Meitei pantheon, through a series of rituals, music, and dance. It is characterized by classical Manipuri dance, devotional songs, and the use of traditional instruments, such as the pung (drum). Lai Haraoba, being a Meitei intangible cultural heritage, serves as an important cultural event for the Meitei diaspora in Bangladesh, playing a key role in the preservation and transmission of Meitei religious and cultural practices.

The festival encompasses various cultural expressions, including rituals, music, dance, and religious performances. It is held annually and is rooted in the social customs and traditions of the Meitei community. The practices associated with Lai Haraoba involve elements of performing arts and ritual observances that are transmitted orally and through community participation.