Continuing New Mandala‘s recent series of pictures from Manau festivals in greater Southeast Asia, over the coming weeks I will be posting material from a recent Singpho festival held in Miao, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

To whet your appetite here are a few pictures that may help to set the scene.

Crossing the Dehing River

– Crossing part of the Dehing river in far eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The other, deeper section of the river can only be crossed (even at this very dry time of year) by loading vehicles and people on rafts (or by using a cable car contraption).

Watching the Manau

– The Manau dances in full colour at the Manau ground. For the rest of the year this field serves as the local cricket pitch!

Standing guard at the Manau ground

– Just a small part of the very relaxed Indian security contingent. This particular group were guarding two ministers from the Arunachal Pradesh government.

Singing at the Manau

– Singing the Manau song on the final day of dancing.

Previous New Mandala coverage of Manau festivals is available here. Of course if there are particular issues that readers would like to see highlighted in the ongoing Manau series please do let me know.