Gaan-Ngai celeberated with fanfare in Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31, 2011:
The Zeliangrong people living in and around Delhi along with well wishers celebrated Gaan-Ngai Silver Jubilee with a theme, 'Echo from Makuilongdi' on January 29 with great pomp and show.
The Zeliangrong Welfare Association, Delhi said Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland CM Chang graced the occasion.
According to the association, the main highlights of the function include - Huai (congregational invocation in the form of collective chanting, Ho-Hoi in a long-drawn and systematic rhythm), Maihrapmei (making of the sacred fire by rubbing the string of bamboo flint with a wooden log, reading out the Significance of Gaan-Ngai by Grace Gangmei and Ajinna Gangmei, traditional games and sports, folk songs, Pazeimei (a unique cultural item where boys and girls seat alternately in a big circle and sing the cultural songs together with the bodies bending and twisting in a uniform and systematic manner), cultural dances from various regions of the Zeliangrong inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, magic show from famous magician, Shri K.C.Pandey, Housie Draw, traditional Fashion Show followed by Mr and Miss Gaan-Ngai contest.
Jeremy Sitlhou was declared Mr Gaan-Ngai, 2011 and Dalsie Gangmei was crowned as Miss Gaan-Ngai, 2011. The Zeliangrong Welfare Association, Delhi said the first Gaan-Ngai in Delhi was celebrated in January 1986.Since then, the Zeliangrong people have been celebrating the festival with well-wishers from other communities in our humble efforts in spreading the message of peace, love and humanity and promoting traditional values in the age of globalization.
Even though living in a far away land from the home States (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), the Zeliangrong people living in Delhi are trying their best to preserve and promote their cultural heritage which they inherit from the days of Makuilongdi, added the association.