Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, January 22
Gaan-Ngai, the greatest post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community, has begun on Friday with great fanfare and religious fervour in Manipur’s hills and valley.
State Level Gaan-Ngai Celebration Committee, Manipur organised the inaugural day of the festival at Changangei Kabui village in Imphal West.
The Zeliangrong celebrates Gaan-Ngai on the 13th day of the Meitei month of Wakching in the Meitei lunar calendar. Those who died in the previous year are given ritual farewell by beautifying their graves during celebration of Gaan-Ngai. Song and dance is performed in this festival which is also known as the festival of death and the living.
This Zeliangrong community expresses appreciation of beauty of its religion and philosophy in this festival which shows the intrinsic nature of the community’s culture. The Zeliangrong also reside in Nagaland and Assam.
On the occasion, Deputy CM Gaikhangam urged upon all communities in hills and valley to show the strength of their oneness by celebrating Gaan-Ngai together.
He wished for a peaceful Manipur where there are no bandh, blockades and violence with the coming of the festival. Gaikhangam appealed to the people to make a united Manipur which attracts people from across the globe by the state’s rich culture and popularity in the field of games and sports.
Earlier, the Manipur Deputy CM inaugurated a community hall and a Nishabandh Shanglen at Changangei village. Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai Devi, Hill Areas Committee vice chairman Z Kikhonbou Newmai, MLAs including TN Haokip and representatives of All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), United Committee Manipur (UCM) and other important persons attended the function.
The State Level Gaan-Ngai Celebration Committee also organised the festival at Maipham Kabui village in Bishnupiur district. MLA N Loken and several dignatries were present at the event. The festival was also celebrated at Muji Khul in Thangmeiband in Imphal West.
