At first glance, washing blankets may seem like an ordinary household task. In Mizoram, however, it becomes something far more significant.
Why It Happens After Winter: Mizoram is a hilly region where winters can be cold and evenings remain cool for much of the year. As a result, blankets are an essential part of daily life. Most households use thick mink blankets in single and double sizes, along with cotton blankets and other heavy bedding materials. These items are not easy to wash at home, especially in large numbers.
When winter ends, usually from late February through March and sometimes into April, church youth fellowships and local organisations begin preparing for Blanket Suk Hnatlang. Families in the locality hand over their blankets to the volunteers for washing.
Careful Organisation and Tagging: The process is well organised. Each blanket is tagged at the time of collection to ensure proper identification. Volunteers attach separate tags using large safety pins and different colours of thick cotton thread. The name of the head of the family is written clearly on each tag with non permanent marker ink. This simple system prevents confusion when hundreds of blankets are washed together.
The collected blankets are then transported to a washing site, usually a nearby river or church compound. In places where no river is available nearby, volunteers may travel a considerable distance to reach a suitable river. The journey itself becomes part of the shared experience, strengthening teamwork and cooperation.
A Day of Hard Work and Laughter: At the riverbank, the atmosphere quickly turns lively. While the work is physically demanding, it is also filled with energy and fun. Friends splash water at one another while scrubbing. There is singing, joking and cheerful conversation. What could have been a tiring chore becomes a memorable day of friendship and bonding.
Volunteers support one another, helping to lift heavy wet blankets and ensuring that every item is thoroughly cleaned. It is an example of shared responsibility in action.
Sun Drying and a Striking Sight: After washing, the finished blankets are first laid out at the riverbank for a short period of sun drying. Later, they are gathered together and brought back to the locality for final drying.
They are spread not only within church compounds and on church rooftops, but also on the roofs of large halls, schools and other big buildings. Open spaces are carefully used to accommodate the large number of blankets. The sight of rows upon rows of colourful blankets drying under the bright sun is both impressive and beautiful, transforming ordinary buildings into a vivid display of community effort.
Shared Meals and Tea by the River: Food plays an important part in the day. Volunteers usually bring their own tiffins for lunch, while the organising fellowship arranges additional curries and other food items to reduce personal expenses. This thoughtful arrangement ensures that no one bears a heavy financial burden while volunteering.
Tea is essential, as most Mizo people enjoy drinking tea. Sometimes it is freshly prepared at the riverbank using firewood or bamboo. At other times, hot tea is brought from home in large tea urns and shared among everyone. These simple moments of eating and drinking together strengthen friendships and create lasting memories.
Practical Usefulness: Blanket Suk Hnatlang is not merely symbolic. It serves several practical purposes.
First, families benefit from having their heavy winter blankets thoroughly cleaned and properly sun dried. Large blankets and carpets can be difficult to wash at home, even with modern washing machines. The collective effort ensures that they are washed carefully and dried completely in open sunlight.
Second, funds are raised through voluntary contributions given by families when the cleaned blankets are returned. These funds support church activities, youth programmes and various community initiatives. Instead of organising commercial events, the community raises money through service.
Third, the tradition reinforces social unity. Young people learn responsibility, teamwork and leadership. Older members witness the strength and dedication of the younger generation. The entire locality becomes connected through a shared task.
Tradition in the Modern Age: Today, many households in Mizoram own washing machines, even in smaller towns and rural areas. Large modern machines are occasionally used in some urban centres. Yet the tradition of Blanket Suk Hnatlang continues to thrive.
It endures not because there is no alternative, but because it represents something deeper than convenience. It transforms a routine domestic task into a collective celebration of cooperation and service.
Blanket Suk Hnatlang is far more than the simple act of washing blankets. It provides practical support to families, serves as an innovative method of fund raising, fosters moments of shared joy along the riverbank, and stands as a clear expression of unity in action.
In Mizoram, community spirit is not just spoken about. It is lived, shared and strengthened, one blanket at a time.
- Dr. Lalzarzoa, Kawnveng, Sialsuk
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| Blanket Suk Hnatlang in Mizoram |
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