Call for giving Ningol Chakkouba a miss
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 26, 2023 -

WITH the call for forgoing celebration of Ningol Chakkouba festival this time growing louder in view of the prevailing unsettling situation in the state, to say anything otherwise may be regarded as a direct affront to the collective wisdom and decision of the people.

But one needs to think of the possibility this unique festival and the message its carries for strengthening the familial and fraternal bonding could do to instil a sense of oneness and belongingness to the thousands of people who have become internally displaced in their own land.

These people are in no mood or in a position to take part in celebration of Ningol Chakkouba festival after their houses and properties had been consumed in the raging fire of hatred ignited by some elements inimical to the idea of Manipur as a home to people of different communities who have been co-existing peacefully since time immemorial.

We need to understand that Ningol Chakkouba is not just some random festival. Unlike numerous other festivals that the people of Manipur celebrate throughout the year, Ningol Chakkouba is one festival that has not only deep connection with the cultural ethos of the people but also with the historical evolution of the land.

Celebrated on the second day of Meitei/Meetei lunar month of Hiyangei every year, Ningol Chakkouba festival is believed to have been started as early as the reign of King Pakhangba, who was raised to the throne of Kangla in 33 AD, when Queen Laisana hosted a feast for her brother Poireiton.

However, this tradition of inviting brothers by their sisters for a feast was changed during the time of King Chandrakirti, as it became impossible for the king, who had more than one sister, to accept all the invitations, and so the king thought it would be more convenient to invite all his sisters at his place instead.

Since then, the tradition of inviting the married sisters by their brothers at the parental homes for an annual feast together continued down the years.

It is true that Manipur is currently in the throes of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis following the outbreak of conflict between the Meitei/Meetei and Kuki-Chin people since May 3.

In this conflict, hundreds of precious human lives have been lost and thousands of families forced to seek asylum in relief camps set up across the length and breadth of the state after their houses and properties have been reduced to ashes.

So, it is understandable to think of forgoing celebration of any festival in this trying time and show solidarity with the bereaved families and homeless people.

But we should not overlook the fact that Ningol Chakkouba is not just a festival but an age-old tradition of celebrating the everlasting bond of love between brothers and sisters.

Of late, Ningol Chakkouba festival has also evolved into a social institution where the familial bonding and affinity transcended into a community level event for bringing the ethnic divide and differences in the multi-pluralistic society.

In other words, the message of Ningol Chakkouba festival resonates at multiple levels, and the need for celebrating the festival and spread it message of strengthening the familial values and fraternal has been felt in this time of crisis more than ever.

So, instead of giving celebration of Ningol Chakkouba a miss completely, concerned citizens and families who could afford may invite 'sisters' staying in the relief camps at their houses for the celebration.

If this is not possible, then arrangement for sharing a feast together at the relief camps could be thought of.

The celebration may be low-key and bereft of the usual paraphernalia of presenting gifts, etc, but this simple gesture would go a long way in reaffirming the feeling of oneness and belongingness with the people living in the relief camps.

What's more, this could send out a strong message to the world about the resilience and determination of Manipuri society in the face of adversity, much to the envy of those who are trying hard to tear apart the social fabric.