By TS.Warngam
Every Naga tribe has its own festival which are celebrated at the village and tribe level.Of late,Nagas have organized themselves and jointly celebrated festivals at the regional level.Nagas in Nagaland State celebrate the Hornbill festival every year.In the same manner,Nagas in Manipur celebrate Lui Ngai Ni every year.
A seminar was held on the 10th may 1986 at GM hall Imphal which was attended by the then Hon`ble minister of state Mr.Gaikhangam and Hon`ble MLA Mr.Benjamin Banee as the chief guest and functional president respectively.It was recommended then, that a common festival of the Nagas in Manipur be celebrated every year on the 15th of February under the name of “Naga seed sowing festival”.This festival after much discussion was named “Lui Ngai Ni” in indigenous dialect putting together the best appropriate and relevant words of the tribes.The collective efforts of the Nagas enabled them to shape and celebrate the first such observance on 15th Feb.1987. In recognition of this zealous efforts,the Govt.of Manipur further declared a state holiday for the festival and in 1997,the Ministry of tourism,Govt.of India also listed the festival as one of the tourist festivals in India.
On this day of the festival, seeds of different crops are brought together and prayers are invoked to the almighty God to shower blessings on the seeds so that they grow to bear fruits for bumper harvest in order to ensure the well-being of the people.The blessings of the supreme deity is sought with expressions through dances, songs, games, sports, rituals, etc performed by the various tribes.This cultural continuity is a way of showing our unique identity. It is this continuity which we see in some of the most delightful dances,songs and other customary rituals presented during Lui Ngai Ni every year.
Out of many festivals that different Naga tribes celebrate,there are those which are uncommon in design,purpose and time.But the Lui Ngai Ni is celebrated by all Naga Tribes almost simultaneously during the spring season.
In fact,the phenomenal diversity with the Naga community itself add colors to the collective diversity of the world.In all,there are about 40 odd tribes that constitute the Naga society,and out of these about 16 tribes are found in Manipur alone. They are Anal, Maring, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Chothe, Tarao, Tangkhul, Mao, Poumei, Maram, Thangal, Chiru, Kharam, Inpui and Zeliangrong (Zemei, Liangmei & Rongmei).
Like many indigenous tribes of South East Asia,the Nagas have a rich and colorful culture. Every Naga tribe celebrate various festivals signifying important events in their life . Though the Nagas have no well documented customs, traditions, legends, beliefs and values, many of them are relayed/passed through oral and visual traditions in the forms of song,dance,story-telling,rites and rituals, wood carvings, festivals, megaliths, etc.The written history of today does not adequately reflect the pristine wisdom of our ancestors.
Lui Ngai Ni is celebrated under the aegis of the UNC by default being the apex body every year in the district head quarters of Chandel,Ukhrul,Senapati and Tamenglong by turn in rotation.UNC usually innitiates the formation of organizing committees with all the sub-committees who in turn shoulders the responsibilities to make the event a grand success.It is celebrated with the support and contributions from the tribes,well wishers, officers, politicians, leaders, contractors, businessmen,etc.
Lui Ngai Ni 2013 is being celebrated in Chamdil (Chandel) under the leadership of Mr.Somipam Lungleng as the Chairman of COC and guidance from the UNC headed by Mr.L.Adani as its President with the theme “Weaving peace through culture” .
In celebrating the festival,the Nagas rekindle their past glorious traditions and values for their posterity,perhaps,re-enact and promote our dances,songs,customary values and rituals. May the celebration of Lui-ngai-ni usher in peace and better understanding among us all.
K U K N A L I M
(TS.Warngamis the Vice President of the United Naga Council.)