TRPC extends Chakaan Gaan-Ngai greetings
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 04 2023: Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom-Assam, Manipur and Nagaland has extended warm greeting to all the people on the occasion of Chakaan Gaan-Ngai 2023.In a release, TRCP (AMN) general secretary Chao-ba Kamson said Chakaan season is the harbinger of much awaited annual Gaan-Ngai festival which lasts for five to seven days and brings bonhomie in the minds of Kabui/ Rongmei people who follow the indigenous religion of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (TRC) in particular and well-wishers in general.

This ritual and cultural festival is mainly celebrated by Kabui/Rongmei people living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, it added.

TRCP (AMN) continued that various rites and rituals are performed during the festival for ensuring abundant harvest, well-being and general prosperity for the whole village.

Customary activities like admission of-new members to respective dormitories, promotion from minor to major by giving a piece of pork pierced with a string, formal admission of newly wedded women to married women institution, promotion from Khangbon to Gaanchang, Gaanchang to Banja, filling up of vacant posts of Khunbu, Khunlak, etc., are done during the festival.

Dances, folk songs, drum beating, playing of harp and flute in tune to relevant songs, shouting of Huai, traditional games and sports, etc., are performed during the festival apart from preparation and consumption of different items of delicious foods and drinks.

During the festival, dormitories particularly the Khangchu (Boys' Dormitory) and Luchu (Girls' Dormitory) play the major role in carrying out the whole activities related to celebration of the festival.

It provides not only entertainment and social festivities to them but also acts as an integrating force for the community as a whole, it further noted.

TRCP (AMN) also conveyed it greetings to the people and called for celebrating the festival wearing new or clean customary dresses; enjoying joyously, digesting the philosophy of Gaan-Ngai; and consuming delicious food accompanied by merry-making, singing, dancing, drinking, cracking jokes, etc., heartily while maintaining strict discipline.

"Let us forgive and forget any enmity or differences if persisted earlier in the spirit of love, affection, unity and understanding which will ensure peace and tranquillity during the festival," it said.

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