Biggest festival of Liangmai community Chaga Ngee observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, October 30 2014 : Amidst a plethora of colourful dances and folk songs, Chaga Ngee, the biggest festival of the Liangmai community was celebrated at Tarung community hall, Imphal today.

Organized by the Chaga Ngee Celebration Committee (SLCNCC) 2014, the festival was celebrated under the theme "Promoting culture in its purity" .

The celebration was attended by minister, RD and PR/Eco and Statistics, Manipur, Francis Ngajokpa as chief guest while MLA T..NHaokip and vice chairman, HAC Z.Kikhonbou Newmai graced the function as president and guest of honour respectively.

Giving the key note, Z.Khangdi Niumai, retd A.I.S TADC, said that Chaga Gadih is one of the most important and famous festival of the Liangmai Naga tribe.

The term in simple translation is applied to drawing of luck and fate.

It also signifies love, joy and care with a degree bound by tradition and is originated in its completeness and fulfilment.

The festival is observed by the Liangmais every year on October 30 in the hope to seek abundant blessings from the Almighty for the times to come.

Niumai also asserted that the festival, above all, spread joy, peace and harmony among the people.

Biggest festival of Liangmai community Chaga Ngee observed

Speaking as chief guest, minister Francis Ngajokpa said that since different communities of the state preserve and abide by their own cultures and traditions, the beauty and richness of the state as a whole is enhanced.

But many at times, fusion of one culture with another in the name of modernization results in losing the value of ones' indigenous cultures and languages.

The main reasons behind this are the lack of research in ones' own cultures and losing work culture.

As such, minister Francis called upon the people to maintain unity among themselves and also to be co operative so that the age old rich customs and traditions of the tribal community can be preserved and protected.

Also speaking on the occasion T..NHaokip maintained that the Liangmais are a unique tribe of Manipur possessing their own unique culture and identity.

He hoped that the celebration would enhance the Liangmai people's attempt to preserve and maintain their distinctive identity.

He further said that the cultures of most of the North Eastern states share a remarkable resemblance with that of the South Asian countries.

Realizing this factor, the government of India has now shifted their attention towards that development of the North Eastern region by introducing many constructive policies like the Look East Policy to enhance development.

Kikhonbou said that the Chaga Ngee, being celebrated by the Liangmai people every year is a remarkable achievement.

As part of the celebration, the traditional Ho-hoing (Chahoi) was observed followed by the hoisting of Chaga Ngee flag and making of traditional fire (in indigenous style) .