Two men beating the Naga traditional drum at the Lui Ngai Ni festival at Tahamzam on February 15. (NNN Photo)
‘Seeking the future together while respecting each other’s aspirations’
Newmai News Network
Tahamzam | February 15
The Nagas under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) celebrated on Friday the seed sowing festival, Lui Ngai Ni, at Tahamzam (Senapati district headquarters) with a strong message of reaching out to the neighbours of the Nagas in order to seek “the future together while respecting each other’s aspirations”. The festival was celebrated under the theme of “Understanding through Culture”. The festival was hosted by Naga People's Organisation (NPO).
Folk songs and cultural dances from various tribes marked this seed sowing festival. Traditional sports such as oiled bamboo pole climbing competition and other items were held in the afternoon. Important organisations from the Meitei community, Hmars etc etc also participated in the event. As a good will gesture the UNC presented gifts to the leaders of these organisations.
In the keynote address, S Kho John, President UNC said that “our forefathers were very much an agrarian community, and that, seed sowing was the integral part of our culture, and hence, the seed sowing festival”. Kho John also said that a society or a race without culture is a lost society or race. The UNC president then said that, “while protecting our own culture, tradition and identity we also respect the culture, traditions and identity of our neighbours”.
He then added, “Here lies a situation where we need to seek our future together”. He drove home his point and said that one cannot survive in isolation. “With the mind of seeking the channel of understanding, we hope to build a new road-map to seek an amicable solution to our problems and outstanding issues with better understanding for each other’s aspirations”, the UNC leader added.
The festival was inaugurated by L Dikho, Minister, PHED, Printing and Stationery, Government of Manipur at Mini Stadium, Senapati. Act of Lui-Ngai-Ni “trumpet blowing” was done by Anal tribe while act of “beating of drum” was performed by Rongmei tribe followed by lighting of “Lui-Ngai-Ni fire” from the Tarao, Inpui, Maram and Chothe tribes. Act of the “blessing of seeds” was led and done by the chief of Saranamai village.
Guest of honour of the festival, Khasim Vashum, MLA in his speech, while applauding the past leaders for their sacrifices, asked the gathering not to forget their good deeds and urged to love and co-operate with one another for a “harmonious life”. The MLA also opine that the Naga seed sowing festival should be also called the “Naga Love Seed Festival”.
Samuel Jendai, MLA, another guest of honour, said the gathering that the Nagas have “a shared dream” for the economic growth in their land. The MLA also said that one should commit oneself “for better tomorrow with the coming of the Naga seed sowing festival”. He then added, “Let the spirit of love and unity be sprouted in all the places of the region”.