Kohima, November 27 (MExN): Governor RN Ravi has extended warm Ngada greetings to the people of Nagaland especially to Rengma community.
“Ngada has the beautiful underlying essence of purity, forgiveness, brotherhood and unity. Our youths need to carry forward these significant cultural legacies,” Ravi said in his message on Friday. He also urged all to continue to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrate the beautiful festival while observing all safety protocols.
Rengma Hoho: On the occasion, the Rengma Hoho also issued a press release, stating the significance of the festival.
“Traditionally, the Rengmas celebrate Ngada Festival towards the end of November for 7 days. But nowadays, it is celebrated only for two days on November 27 and 28 annually. The word Ngada is derived from Nga which means Festival and da which means great, thus taking on the meaning the greatest of all Rengma festivals,” it said.
It said that the Ngada is a post harvest thanksgiving festival where the rich and poor alike eat, drink and make merry to the fullest. It is a festival to showcase their best attires, where the harvest is shared with one another and wrongdoings are forgiven, it added.
It is a festival marking the end of the year and also the beginning of a new year, starting afresh with renewed mind, strength and happiness, it said.
Delivering festive greetings to the Rengma community, the Hoho urged all to celebrate Ngada in its true spirit and also value the significance of Ngada festival entwined in the 7 days celebration.
“On behalf of the Rengmas, the Rengma Hoho extends our goodwill to all the Nagas. May this Ngada Festival be a time to remember God’s blessing; may the peace of God visit every Rengma house in particular and the people of Nagaland in general,” it said.
NSCN(R): The NSCN (Reformation) through its MIP meanwhile conveyed greetings to the Rengma community in Nagaland and parts of Assam.
“As our Rengma brothers and sisters celebrate Ngada, may the spirit of oneness, reconciliations, forgiveness, forbearance, peace and harmony prevail,” it stated in its message on Friday.
