CSOs back Kabui's claim on Gaan Ngai
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 30 2022:
A joint conference of various civil society organisations held at Manipur Press Club here on Friday has unanimously resolved to support the Kabui's demand on Kabui Gaan Ngai as the rightful stakeholder.
The meeting also further supported the fact that Kabui is one of the most significant indigenous communities of Manipur having strong cultural ethnicity of Manipur and that Gaan Ngai is an age old customary festival exclusively of the Kabui community.
It also urged the state government to restore the stakeholder of Gaan Ngai festival to Kabui community.
Furthermore, the CSOs present during the meet agreed to save, promote and preserve Kabui's culture and customs.
The joint conference was attended by representatives of various CSOs including Kabui Union Manipur, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Civil Society of Culture Kangleipak (CSCK), Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL), ACOAM LUP Kangleipak and Enat Yokhat Lup (EYL) .
Addressing media persons after the meet at Manipur Press Club, Kabui Union, Manipur president K Heera said that Gaan Ngai is a holy and unique festival of the Kabui community celebrated since time immemorial.
The Zeliangrong community claiming the festival as theirs is not only a direct threat to the Kabui culture and traditions but also to the Kabui community as a whole which could eradicate the community if not intervened in time.
He also appealed to the public and all civil society organisations to address the festival as "Kabui Gaan Ngai" while extending wishes for the festival.
Heera revealed that another meeting with various CSOs to discuss the claims made by Zeliangrong community on Gaan Ngai will be held very soon.
Reiterating that Gaan Ngai is a festival of the Kabui community which has been celebrated since time immemorial, the Kabui Union has informed that the state level Kabui Gaan Ngai festival for the year 2023 will be celebrated at Keikhu Kabui village on January 8, 2023 .