Pukpha Ngai festival
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei
Tamenglong, August 02 2013 :
A Zeliangrongpui Customary Research Society, Tamenglong, Manipur on Friday observed 'Pukpha Ngai' harvest festival at Ramphanluang Tamenglong Ward No.IV with Thomas Kamei, Chairman of Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur as Chief Guest.
In his welcoming address, Ngamthuiyang Pamei, Chairman of Zeliangrongpui Customary Research Society, Tamenglong, Manipur explained that this 'Pukpha Ngai' festival is being celebrated by the forefathers of the Zeliangrongpui people to mark the sacrifice of god's son 'NAP-MAJA', who gave himself as food for human beings.
This festival is being celebrated every year since time immemorial.
Ngamthuiyang Pamei went on to point out that in accordance to the tradition, the remnants of god's son 'NAP-MAJA' which fell on the earth came alive as new crop and was harvested with joy and thanksgiving by human beings.
So, on the occasion of Pukpha Ngai, a sacrificial offering is made to God with animals without blemish or stain.
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Ngamthuiyang Pamei observed that this festival has been done away by most Zeliangrongpui people after coming of Christianity.
"It is regrettable that forgetting such customs and festivals of our forefathers will make the younger generations of Zeliangrongpui people to be unaware of their roots and ancestry.
The Zeliangrongpui Customary Research society, therefore, is organizing the festival to make the children aware of their traditions and customs, Pamei added.
Thomas Kamei, Chairman, Zelianrong Baudi Manipur, Karamthui, Vice Chairman Zeliangrongpui Customary Research society also spoke on the occasion and Guikimlak, an elderly man presented a captivating folk song, enthralling one and all.