Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 15 (EMN): The Nagas of Manipur celebrated “Lui-Ngai-Ni,” a seed sowing festival, with the theme “Oneness through culture” at Ukhrul district, 84 km northeast of Imphal.
The two-day event was organised by the United Naga Council and hosted by the Tangkhul Naga Long, an apex body of the Tangkhul community in Manipur.
Lui-Ngai-Ni is one of the biggest festivals of the Naga community in Manipur. The festival is marked by a plethora of cultural displays and events including the lighting of the sacred fire, blessing of seeds to be sown for the season.
Speaking at the introductory programme on Friday evening as the chief guest, Public Health Engineering Minister L Dikho said seed sowing culture in spring season is one of the many features the Nagas still practice today.
For the prosperity in a year’s time, anything before plantation, sacrifices and prayers to God were made to sprout and bear good harvest, he said.
Dikho reminded the gathering that God has bestowed the Nagas with land that grows everything people needed.
However, he expressed concern over water scarcity which has become a matter of great concern everywhere. He appealed the people to use water judiciously and to take proper measures.
Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister N Kayisii attended the main festival as the chief guest on Saturday while Lok Sabha MP (Outer) Lorho S Pfoze was the chief guest for the valedictory function.
Various activities like a folk song, blowing Lui-Ngai-Ni trumpet, beating drums, the lighting of the sacred fire, cultural dances and solo performances were performed by different Naga tribes.