Lui-Ngai-Ni: Celebrating Naga culture
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Noney, February 15 2018: Lui-Ngai-Ni, the seed sowing festival of the Naga people, is underway at Longmai Common Ground (Noney), located some 40 km west of Imphal.

The festival which began last evening will culminate on Friday.

Cultural dances and songs from various Naga tribes are the main features of the Nagas' seed sowing festival.

Indigenous games will dominate tomorrow's event.

Naga artistes are also taking part in the three-day event.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, PHED Minister L Dikho dwelt on the importance of reviving and preserving the rich culture of the forefathers.

"We come here today to celebrate the uniqueness of our history, culture, traditions and to share the history of oneness", L Dikho stated.

Lui-Ngai-Ni: Celebrating Naga culture

Also speaking at the occasion, Gaidon Kamei, president of the United Naga Council (UNC), said, "Our rich Naga culture is blooming today, but there is no hope and future in the present political system to promote, preserve and protect our rich cultural heritage, identity, land, history" .

He stated that the Naga people need a "healthy and dynamic political solution".

Gaidon Kamei also said that the Naga people are suffering from political and economic handicaps.

"We are lagging behind in all spheres of life, we have to think, forces of life cannot be kept abeyance," he added.

According to the UNC president, the Nagas celebrate every important event of their life with festivals.

"The seed sowing festival is celebrated by all Naga tribes almost simultaneously during the onset of spring to signify the propitious time for the sowing of seeds," he added.

According to Gaidon Kamei, Lui-Ngai-Ni is a collective seed sowing festival of the Naga people.

The celebration began in 1987 and ever since it is being observed every year on February 15 in one of the "Naga districts" on rotational basis.

In recognition of its significance, the State Government had declared February 15 as a State holiday, and in 1997, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India had also listed Lui-Ngai-Ni as one of the tourist festivals of India, Gaidon added.

Like many other indigenous people of the world, the Nagas have a rich history, customs, traditions, legends, beliefs and values and all these were also passed on through oral and visual traditions in the form of songs, dances, story-telling, rites and rituals, wood carvings, festivals, megaliths etc., Gaidon Kamei further said.

To rekindle the glorious traditions and values of the past for posterity and to preserve their unique identity, the celebration of Lui-Ngai-Ni through dances, songs and rituals in today's context is of great social significance, Gaidon stated.

"The act of sowing of seeds is central to the culture of the Naga people and continues to be the fundamental element in the intra and inter community relationships and also of our world view," he added.

According to the UNC leader, this spirit continues to "guide us and remind us of our history and resilience" .

He added, "It retells us of our common aspiration and destiny through culture and accordingly our theme for this year Lui-Ngai-Ni is One Culture, One Goal" .

Presidents of tribe bodies and their executives, public leaders and a large number of people are participating in the ongoing three-day festival.