Sit-in protests bid to mislead Gaan Ngai festival
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 29 2022:
Denouncing the ownership claim of Kabui traditional Gaan Ngai festival by other communities particularly the Zeliangrong, residents of Keishamthong Kabui Khul staged a sit-in-protest in front of its gate, here, on Thursday.
Regarding the protest, Kabui Women's Organisation secretary P Kachung Inglun Kaonin told media persons that Gaan Ngai is the post-harvest festival celebrated by the Kabui community since time immemorial and it cannot be gifted to other communities.
Kabui community shall celebrate Gaan Ngai alone be it big or small, she said and appealed to ministers and MLAs not to wish other communities while extending Gaan Ngai festival message.
According to Kachung Inglun, the history of Meetei cannot be completed without the Kabui as the latter has been known since the time of Kabui Salang Maiba.
Accordingly, Kabui community will not accept gifting Gaan Ngai festival to Zeliangrong, she said and cautioned that Kabui community will launch intense agitation if ownership of Gaan Ngai festival is not given to Kabui community.
Meanwhile, Keishamthong Kabui Khul 'Khunbu' Meja-ning Golmei said that Gaan Ngai festival being celebrated since time immemorial by Kabui forefathers is the identity of Kabui community and this festival is not for other communities or organisations.
Gaan Ngai festival is not celebrated by those who have adopted other religion, he said and appealed to ministers/MLAs to mention Kabui Gaan Ngai while extending festival message.