February 28, 2012
The beautiful hill town of Manali in the mountains of
Himachal Pradesh, India, boasts of having rich and colorful traditions. Unique
traditional customs, rituals, festivals and ceremonies form the rich culture of
the people of Manali. Manali has been home to many aboriginal tribes since
ancient times. Different ethnic communities of Manali are found practicing
different social and religious customs. Kinnaur community is one of most
prominent indigenous groups in Manali. This ethnic group is known for treating
the two sexes of the society equally. Equal division of labor between man and
woman can be seen in Kinnaur ethnic community of Manali. Gujjar is another
prominent tribe of the region.
Manali is famous for
its traditional arts and crafts made by the diverse ethnic groups of the
region. Folk dance and songs also form a vital part of the culture of the
valley. Various kinds of folk arts of different tribes give the culture of
Manali a distinct and vibrant look. These folk arts are performed by these
tribes on special occasions like festivals and other cultural events. The people
of Manali usually prefer to wear their traditional attires which are mainly
spun out of the wool.
Cuisines of Manali are
dominated by the crops that are mainly produced in the region. Rice, maiz,
Kodra and salyara are major crops of the region and are largely used in various
food dishes of Manali. Patrodu, Bhatora and Vada are some of the food dishes
prepared for special occasions like festivals, wedding ceremonies etc. Milk
based recipes dominate the food culture in Manali. Festivals and fairs celebrated by the people of Manali also serve the
occasions for the tourists to witness the various facets of vibrant culture and
traditions followed by the diverse indigenous tribes of Manali.
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