Singpho (Tea) Festival

The Singphos and tea are synonymous to each other. These are the people who started tea cultivation in the north eastern region. They were the first to have consumed green tea leaves. The advancement of tea technology has brought about a sea change in the tea sector where these colourful people had to remain unmoved. With the passage of time, they were reduced to a small tribe scattering in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It’s the tea festival which give them an occasion for a get together at least for one week in a year.    

The Shingphos started the tea festival in 1985 at Miao in Changlang District in Arunachal Pradesh. This is what the origin of the event of pomp and gaiety under the banner of Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi. They believe Shapawng Yawng to be their forefather, the sixth son in order of birth. “Manau Poi” stands for dance.  The festivals revive their rich treasure of its traditional and cultural heritage.

“Poi” of Manau relates to Shapawng Yawng. The celebration gathers momentum as dance is performed to express zest and joy which strengthens the unity and integrity of the Singpho society.

The Singphos consumed tea as vegetable in 19rthe century when it did not acclaim. A local chief of the Shingphos gave Scotsmen Major Robert Bruce some indigenous plants in 1823.

Some of these people drank the brew after dipping it in boiled water. Robert C Bruce was believed to have discovered tea plants in the wild near Jorhat under the guidance of the local Singphos. He planned a nursery. But that did not happen as he died. But his brother Charles took the initiative and set up the first tea plantation in Assam. These people are honoured worldwide as the first tea planters.