Lui-Ngai-Ni pioneers lament rotational system
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 24 2014 : Lui-Ngai-Ni, perhaps the only common festival for all Naga tribes of Manipur was given official recognition on December 24, 1987 and the first Lui-Ngai-Ni festival was celebrated on February 15, 1988, said RV Mingthing, former Chairman of Manipur Legislative Assembly Hill Areas Committee (HAC) .

Speaking to media persons at his quarters near Lamphel Sana Keithel this morning, RV Mingthing said that grand preparations were made to celebrate the Naga tribes' annual festival as the Seed Sowing Festival when he was the HAC Chairman.

However, many quarters raised strong objections against the English nomenclature 'Seed Sowing Festival'.

Subsequently, the festival was renamed as Lui-Ngai-Ni after taking the word Lui from Tangkhul dialect, Ngai from Zeliangrong dialects and Ni from Mao dialect.

Lui-Ngai-Ni festival was given official recognition on December 24, 1987.The State Government, then headed by Rishang Keishing as Chief Minister, declared February 15 as a State holiday.

It was former Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) Chairperson G Moirangjao, former IMC Councillor M Maringa and IMC's incumbent Vice-Chairperson Phaomei Thambaljao who lobbied at the forefront for celebration of Lui-Ngai-Ni festival at the State level.

The trio were the pioneers of the State Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, Mingthing said.

Notably, G Moirangjao, M Maringa, Phaomei Thambaljao and RV John of Tangkhul Welfare Association, Lamphel were also present at the press meet.

Even though Lui-Ngai-Ni is a State level festival, it is being celebrated at different places on rotational basis.

Lui-Ngai-Ni festival has deep-rooted significance and it has high aesthetic values, they said.

Participation of all Naga communities is crucial and such massive participation would add to the significance to the festival but celebration of the festival at different corners of the State on rotational basis restricts people's participation.

The same problem is compounded by transport and communication bottlenecks.

As such, celebration of the festival at a suitable venue on permanent basis can ensure participation of all Naga communities, they added.

Comment