AMESCO gifts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27 2013 : Showing brotherly affection for all communities, AMESCO today presented gifts and participated in the Gaan-Ngai celebration of Kabui community at Major Khul here.

The gifts which included vegetables, snack items, traditional delicacies and clothes were taken to Major Khul in the form of a procession from the office of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur and the same were delivered with the message that all should shed communal tendencies and accept that Manipur is for all indigenous communities, not for any single community.

The procession was accorded a warm reception by the young and old people of Major Khul alike wearing traditional attires.

Gaan Ngai celebration

The Gaan-Ngai celebration was opened with presentation of traditional dance and music.

Then social worker Th Iboyaima and ex-MP Meijinglung Kamsom exchanged traditional scarfs and the same was done between different dignitaries in a gesture symbolising camaraderie and fraternity among the indigenous communities.

The celebration was jointly presided by Major Khul chief Gaithaochung Golmei and AMESCO president R Benny Chiru.

Father of social worker Th Iboyaima, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur vice-president S Memcha , ex-MP Meijinglung Kamson, social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram, AMUCO president KT Rehaman and AMAWOVA president Y Kunjarani were also present as special invitees.

Speaking at the occasion, AMESCO secretary BK Moirangcha said that AMESCO has been participating in the traditional festival of Kabui community known as Gaan-Ngai for the last 20 years.

Fraternal communities of Manipur have their own distinct religious fatihs, culture and traditions and there are many elements of similarity between them.

But these distinct religious systems, beliefs, culture and traditions are being diluted and obliterated by external forces.

If these distinctive cultures and traditions have disappeared, all the 36 indigenous communities of Manipur would not know each other.

They would not know their origin nor understand the filial bond shared by the indigenous communities, BK Moirangcha said.

As such, there is a need to preserve and promote one's own tradition and culture, he asserted.

Even though Kabui people living in the valley have been celebrating Gaan-Ngai festival, Kabui people settled in the hills have seemingly forgotten the same festival.

AMESCO has been participating in the Gaan-Ngai celebration with a view to encourage the Kabui community in preserving their own culture, religion, customs and culture, BK Moirangcha said.