As a lesson from Spiritual and Ethics of 'Ningol-Chakouba' festival

Pukhrambam Linthoingambi Devi *

Ningol-Chakouba at Bangalore on 17th November, 2012 :: Pix - Pukhrambam Linthoingambi

Forget the almighty; we don't even remember our nearest ones in our pleasant days. The underlying reason behind this fact is that human being wants to live in happy tune always. But from a slight slip of foot to unsolvable misery we just cry out aloud "OH! MAMA". Why do we utter "MAMA" just when we are in trouble?

According to its ethics, it can be said that we do so for the want of all troubles being solved by her. Of course this shout doesn't solve it, but it seems to gives strength to bear it. It seems at least a bit has been solved. Mother may bear bad child, but to children there is no bad "MAMA". Today, the story that I am going to write is not the story of anybody's "MAMA".

It is the story of "Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore". But as an introduction, let me call Manipuri Meitei Association as "MAMA" (Mother in Manipuri) (MA-Manipuri, M-Meitei and A-Association). Because "MAMA" in our every moment and steps, both in happy and sad days stands as a huge mountain without fear and see lives following her tradition and culture. She is the one whom everyone bows. With thousands of hands and with the look of "EMA PANTHOIBI" (Goddess in Manipur), she is the point of sources for highest multi-power.

Ningol-Chakouba at Bangalore on 17th November, 2012 :: Pix - Pukhrambam Linthoingambi

Even if we Meitei put up anywhere in this world our costume, intelligence, strength, respect and custom remain the same embedding to ourselves. As done every year, this year too "MAMA" has celebrated "NINGOL CHAKOUBA" with "Meiteis" residing in Bangalore from every knock and corner of Karnataka, on Saturday, the 17th November, 2012.

Manipur, surrounded by nine layers of hill, is a place with heavy rain-falls and cyclones even in the month of "Mera-Hiyangei" (October-November) due to North-East monsoon. Ancestors named this period as 'Meragi Thaomei Mutpi' as the lamp put off as soon as it is lighted even inside the house. As well as Ningol Chakouba is the festival that arrives during the "Chakmei-singmei" i. e. at the end and before collection of a yearly harvested crop.

Ningol-Chakouba at Bangalore on 17th November, 2012 :: Pix - Pukhrambam Linthoingambi

According to Dr. Moirangthem Jiban Singh, Ningol-chakouba! It is a day to have a feast altogether with married daughters and sisters especially inviting them by their parents and brothers. But just a feast is not the end of this special social festival. It is a day to meet emotionally all the family members once in a year, also a day to present something by the parents and brothers to their daughters and sisters, a day to wish for the good fortune by the married daughters and sisters, a day to share their life experiences, a day to memories their passed life, a day to hope their future life and a day to introduce their new generations. There is no division between rich and poor in this occasion. The feeling of love on this day has same meaning. The respect for elders by younger and elder's guidance to the younger can also be seen on this day.

On the other hand, Ningol-chakouba! It is a special festival of Manipuri Meitei being celebrated from ancient periods against the torture and suppression of women from the various corners of the universe in different stages of their life. As a lesson from science, spiritual & ethics the 'Ningol-chakouba' festival has taught us that 'saving and giving respect to the women are the source to maintain peace in the society' said Dr. Moirangthem Jiban Singh.

Ningol-Chakouba at Bangalore on 17th November, 2012 :: Pix - Pukhrambam Linthoingambi

"GIVE RESPECT THEN TAKE RESPECT-IMAGE OF MAMA"

On this very day, an annual magazine entitled "WANGMADA" (beyond) has been presented. Every pages of this magazine are captivating. It'll not be false to say that it is not a magazine. This is the "IMAGE OF MAMA". When we have a thought how our Meitei has been living instead of how long we have been living in such a land far away from their native makes us realize the struggles we faced.

The saying - "Give respect then take respect", is also visible anew in this image. "MAMA" has eyes in all its fingers and toes, ears have fixed on walls. She is the mother to us all "KANNADIGAS MEITEI (Meitei staying in Karnataka)" and we are the "SOUL" of her. Let us unite together. Let us care for our culture and preserve our custom. Let's make our custom imitable to all. Let's preach peace all over the world.