calendar icon Fri, March 3, 2023

One of the most important festivals of the Mizo people, Chapchur Kut marks the end of the jungle clearing, after which they can be used as farms. The state of Mizoram follows the 'jhumming' system of farming, in which fields are rotated for planting every year. For this purpose, jungles need to be cleared and since this task is quite strenuous, after it is finished, people take a break and celebrate it as a festival.

This tradition dates back to the 15th century. During Chapchur Kut, people perform the chai dance, in which men and women stand in circles and hold each others' waists and shoulders. In the centre, musicians play soulful tunes and drums.