Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 19 (EMN): Manipur Forest and Environment, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar on Saturday inaugurated the five-day state-level Gaan-Ngai Festival 2019 at the Chingmeirong Kabui village in Manipur’s Imphal east district. Gaan-Ngai, a post- harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community began with traditional dances and religious activities.
The festival is celebrated across the Zeliangrong areas with cultural and religious fervour.
Speaking on the occasion, Shyamkumar who was the chief guest of the event said that the celebration is the practice of preserving an old age tradition and cultural heritage of the Zeliangrong community.
Communities can live in harmony and safeguard unity when each community preserve one’s tradition, he said.
The minister appealed to the people to respect to each and live in peaceful co-existence.
Manipur is a home to various ethnic groups and communities and each community follow and continue the rich cultural tradition and legacy of the forefathers.
Cultural programmes including folk songs, beating of drums, dances and rituals were some of the highlights of the naugural function.
Extracting of sacred fire, ho-hoing — an invocation, offering of holy wine to god and deities besides other cultural extravaganza are the main highlights of the Gaan Ngai festival.
On January 16, a curtain raiser ceremony of Gaan Ngai was held with the state Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal.
