'Gaan Ngai, a religious fest of Zeliangrong folks'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 01 2021:
The Zeliangrong Youth Front, in a statement issued today, informed that a clarification is necessitated following repeated statements of an organization called "Kabui Union Manipur" which have appeared in various local newspapers in connection with the religious and cultural festival "Gaan Ngai" of Zeliangrong community which may have caused unnecessary confusion to the people.
"Gaan Ngai" is a religious and cultural festival of Zeliangrong people celebrated during the winter season of every year since time immemorial with significance to custom, culture, religion, tradition and practices of Zeliangrong people.
But with the arrival of Christianity in Zeliangrong areas, "Gaan Ngai" festival has been celebrated by the Zeliangrong people who follow and practice the indigenous faith.
However, "Gaan Ngai" festival cannot be claimed by any particular clan or group of Zeliangrong people, it added.
Administrative manipulation of tribe recognition by the Government is the basis of confusion.
The separate tribe recognition of the Government has fragmented the Zeliangrong people as "Zeme Naga" in North Cachar Hills or Dima Hasao and "Hills tribe" in plain in Cachar valley, Assam State; "Zeme", "Liangmai", "Rongmei", "Kacha Naga" and "Kabui" in Manipur State and "Zeliang" in Nagaland State, it added.
ZYF alleged that the "Kabui Union Manipur" is trying to take advantage of the administrative manipulation of separate tribe recognition and to mislead the people.
Those individuals propagating false information in the name of the organization "Kabui Union Manipur" are advised to relook into the history and origin of Zeliangrong people and consult scholars so as to get a clearer knowledge regarding the genesis of Zeliangrong people.
Messages and greetings of the top State level dignitaries and VVIPs poured in for the festival signifies the importance of "Gaan Ngai" festival and are highly valued, honoured and respected by the Zeliangrong people.
Therefore, the statements made by the organization called "Kabui Union Manipur" are not binding or related to the entire Zeliangrong people, it added.