Seeds of 'peace, unity' sown on Lui-Ngai-Ni
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Senapati , February 15 2015:
Celebrating the unique cultural facade by the 16 tribes of Nagas of Manipur, the Lui-Ngai-Ni carnival was organized by Naga People's Organization (NPO) at Senapati Public Ground on Sunday.
Traditionally, Lui-Ngai-Ni is celebrated to invoke the blessings of the Creator on the seed crops by showing devotion through folk dances, songs and rituals and to reawaken their past glorious and values for their years to come.
Since the 'seed sowing festival' is collective to all the Naga tribes and celebrated simultaneously during the onset of spring, the Naga tribes christened "Lui-Ngai-Ni" in 1987 .
For this year's celebration of the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, MLA of Mao A/C L Dikho was the Chief Host with Minister of Social Security & Welfare, Government of Nagaland KiyaniliePeseyie as Chief Guest, and MLA of Chandel A/C ST Nunghlung Victor as Guest of Honour.
Special invitees of the celebration were LB Sona, Chairman, Zomi Council, Dr John Pulamte, President, Hmar Inpui, P Chuba Ozukum, President Naga Hoho and Tongpang Ozukum, President NSF.
Speaker of UNC, ATSUM officials, Women Union, Chief Headmen and other dignitaries solemnized the auspicious event.
The Carnival was adorned with folk songs, cultural dances from various tribes such as Poumai, Inpui, Anal, Kharam, Zeliangrong, Chiru, Moyon, Mao, Lamkang, Maram, Chothe, Thangal, Maring, Tangkhul, Tarao and Mongsang.
In his presidential address, Gaidon Kamei, President UNC, asserted that the socio-cultural and ethno-political unity and solidarity inspires the people for a common future.