By Phaomei Ganmeilu
IMPHAL, January 21: The biggest festival of the Zeliangrong of North East India ‘Gaan-Ngai’ is round the corner with the whole community- old and young alike- gearing up for five days of festivities, feasts and traditional folklore. The festival will start from January 25 this year. Earlier, it was celebrated for a longer period in the past. `Gaan` literally means winter and `Ngai` means festival. Gaan-Ngai is said to have been celebrated during December but due to its collision with the harvest period, it was fixed to celebrate in the month of January as a post harvest observation.
In the run up to the festivities which will be marked by good food and social and cultural dances, the traditional drums beats are once again reverberating in the air around the various Kabui khuls (localities) in and around Imphal area as in other parts of the region as the young drum beaters and dancers are seen prancing around and practicing their foot works to the rhythm of the drum beats to ensure perfect footsteps during the five day festivities.
Men in the “Khuls” are busy decorating and redoing the “Khangchu Kais”- a shed for themselves. A house is selected by the village as the Khangchu Kai or the main host of the festival during the entire five days. Every male of the village is the member of Khangchu, until he is decided to be old enough to leave the Khangchu Kai by its members. For the maidens, there is a different shed called the ‘Luchu Kai’.
Rich tradition, colourful costumes, rituals, clothes and delicious dishes are the most beautiful parts of ‘Gaan Ngai’ with the men set to gather at ‘Khangchu’ (house of the men) and the women at ‘Luchu’ to take part in numerous activities.
Gaan Ngai is a festival of both the dead and the living. A farewell is given to all those who have died during the past one year, as the Zeliangrong people believe that they have not left until they partake in the first Gaan Ngai celebration since their death.
The Gaan Ngai is also a post-harvest festival to give thanks to “Tingkao Ragwang” (God) for his guidance and the food that was produced during the year. This festival has obligations, ritual rites and offertories such as offering ginger, eggs and other items and so on are offered to the Goddess called Kaipi Bambu – God of North and Kaiba Bambu – God of South.
Traditional drum beatings, song and dance are also performed during the five days. The symbolic `fire` produced by striking of wood and bamboos of the flint is integral to the rituals as it is commemorates the beginning of life. This festival is largely connected with traditional dance, songs, music, and athletic events like Daan Chammei (Long jump) Tau Phaimei (Shot Put) are participated by the men and other sports for both men and women.
Gaan-Ngai is not only a festive observation but is also the festival of peace and forgiveness among the members of the family, celebrated to relieve one from pain, problems and difficulties of life. As it is the most important festival of the community; youths, friends and relatives staying away from home are seen heading home to spend time with their loved ones.