Cultural fervour marks Ningol Chakkouba celebration
Arambai Tengol hosts feast for IDPs staying in relief camp
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 04 2024: After a year's hiatus due to the unrest situation in the state, Ningol Chakkouba, one of the grandest festivals of Manipur, was celebrated on Sunday with great cultural fervour.

Married women made their way back to their paternal homes to partake in grand and lavish feasts, while various organisations arranged meals for the internally displaced persons sheltering in relief camps.

Apart from the different units of Arambai Tenggol (AT) organising Ningol Chakkouba festival at relief camps opened in different parts of the state and arranging grand feast for the displaced women, the festival was also celebrated by Meetei community in others states and Manipuri diaspora abroad.

On Sunday, from around 9 am, capital city Imphal and district headquarters witnessed heavy traffic congestion.

Keeping tradition alive, the indigenous people exchanged love and unity to bring peace, integrity, and a prosperous future by celebrating Ningol Chakkouba, with vibrant festivities, and family and community gatherings.

Traditionally, the festival is centred on the Meetei male siblings/parents in every house honouring their married sisters and daughters.

At the invitation of their brothers, married women visit their parental houses in their best traditional attires.

The brothers and sisters share feasts with a variety of dishes mostly fish.

Later, the brothers/parents present gifts to their sisters/daughters seeking their blessings for a happy and prosperous year.

According to historical accounts, the festival started during the reign of King Chandrakriti (1850 - May 1886) .

Apart from individual families, civil societies, state and central security forces also organised grand feasts and presented gifts to the communities including the Naga women and other ethnic groups residing in the state.

Addressing those gathered for the Ningol Chakkouba festival organised by AT Unit 14 at the Lamboi Khongnangkhong relief camp, commander-in-chief Korounganba Khuman said AT is committed to protecting Manipur from the threats posed by Kuki narco-terrorists, and expressed keen desire to help the displaced families return to their ancestral homes and live in peace.

Korounganba also assured the displaced women in the relief camps that the Arambai Tengol would ensure celebration of Ningol Chakkouba in their respective paternal homes, calling it a special gift from AT to them.

He noted that the festival was organised to bring joy and happiness, though for a short time, and thanked the displaced women for their participation.

Additionally, gifts were distributed to the displaced women, arranged by AT Unit 18, in a gesture of support on the occasion.

The Ningol Chakkouba festival under the banner 'Nungshibagi Chaklen' was also celebrated in relief camps opened in Litanpokpi area under the aegis of Lamlai MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha.

Tengnoupal district administration also organised Ningol Chakkouba feast for the womenfolk of Kwatha and Kwatha Khunou at Kwatha community hall.

Among others, Moreh SDO Ijaz Hassan, Tengnoupal junior BDO Mosel Yunglama, Moreh SDC Sukur Ali and 3 AR CO Shishir Pandey also joined the feast.

Ningol Chakkouba was also celebrated in Singapore, where one Akoijam Ronel invited Meetei women of city state at his residence for a festive meal and presented them with gifts.

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