Lui Ngai Ni

Lui Ngai Ni
Type Naga cultural festival
Significance Seed sowing festival of the Nagas in Manipur
Celebrations Cultural exchange programs and activities
Observances 14-15 February
Related to Marks the beginning of the yearly activities

Lui Ngai Ni is the seed-sowing festival celebrated by the Naga tribes of Manipur India.[1] The festival heralds the season of seed sowing and marks the start of the year for the Nagas and the festival was declared a state holiday since 1988.[2]

Etymology

The word “Lui - Ngai - Ni” is coined from three different Naga languages. “Lui” comes from “Luiraphanit”, a Tangkhul word for seed sowing festival, “Ngai” means festival in Rongmei language and “Ni” is a Mao word for the seed sowing festival.[3]

The festival is celebrated annually on 14–15 February at the start of the spring season. During the festival, the Naga tribes in Manipur namely Anal, Mao, Maram, Poumai, Tangkhul, Zemei, Liangmai, Rongmei, Puimei, Moyon, Monshang, Maring, Tarao, Lamkanq, Chothe, Kharam, Chiru, Koireng, and Thangal come together at the designated location to converge and showcase their rich cultural heritage. Apart from the major Naga tribes in Manipur, other Naga tribes from Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh partake in the festivities as special guests and invitees. [4]The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India on December 24, 1986 gave away a special day of remembrance and recognition for the Nagas. Since then it is celebrated in various Naga's inhibited areas. It is the second major inter-tribe Naga festival after Hornbill festival, which is celebrated by more than ten Naga tribes of Nagaland.

The festival is a special occasion to honour and appease the gods of crop and to pray for the well being of the people. Various cultural activities are showcased during the festival such as Cultural Dances and songs, including various cultural attire shows, lighting of the fire, drum beating, traditional folk dances and songs. Lui-Ngai-Ni is celebrated in all the Naga inhabited areas in Manipur, however, the main festivity is hosted alternately at the Naga inabited district headquarters namely Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Festivals in Manipur". E-Pao. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "Nagas in Manipur". Manipur Times. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Lui Ngai Ni in Manipur". IJLLH. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Report on Lui Ngai Ni Celebration". DNA India. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  5. ↑ "Holiday list" (PDF). Government of Manipur. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
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