Senapati to host Lui-Ngai-Ni on Feb 15
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, February 09 2025: The Lui-Ngai-Ni festival is set to take place on February 15 at Katomei, Senapati, under the theme "Celebrating Naga's Cultural Fusion".

The festival will be organised by the State Level Organising Committee un der the aegis of United Naga Council with Naga People's Organisation as the hosts.

Lui-Ngai-Ni is a traditional seed-sowing festival celebrated by the Naga community residing in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as certain regions of Myanmar.

It marks the beginning of the sowing season, a time when Naga farmers prepare their fields for planting.

The festival is deeply rooted in agricultural traditions, serving as an occasion to express gratitude for the past harvest while seeking blessings for a prosperous season ahead.

It fosters community rejuvenation, strengthens social bonds, and promotes harmony and cooperation among the Naga people.

The celebrations feature a variety of cultural and religious practices, including traditional seed-sowing ceremonies accompanied by indigenous songs and dances.

Elders perform sacred rituals to cleanse the land, community, and forests of negative energies.

Traditional delicacies such as rice, meat, and vegetables are offered to the gods and ancestors.

The festival also showcases Naga heritage through vibrant performances of music, dance, and storytelling.

Dignitaries including water resources minister Awangbow Newmai will attend the festival as the Lui-Ngai-Ni protagonist, while MLAs Ram Muivah and Janghemlung Panmei will be main celebrants at the inaugural event, and J Kumo Sha as the honoured celebrant for the introductory function on February 14.The valedictory session will be attended by MLAs Leishiyo and SS Olish as honoured celebrants, while L Dikho will serve as the Lui-Ngai-Ni host.

Former presidents and office bearers of the United Naga Council, members of the Committee for Alternative Arrangements, as well as ex-Naga parliamentarians and legislators , will attend as special invitees.

The festival's celebration flag will be hoisted by Ng Lorho, president United Naga Council, during the introductory function, followed by the blessing and distribution of seeds, which will be led by K Namba, chief of the Maram tribe, at the inaugural session.

The festival will conclude with a Cultural Fusion Night, highlighting the rich traditions and unity of the Naga people.

More than 2,000 delegates from various parts of the state are expected for the festival, according to the organising committee.

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