Look, How Nagas Celebrate Seed Sowing Festival in Manipur

| Brown Nongmaithem, Imphal, Manipur - 16 Feb 2019

Look, How Nagas Celebrate Seed Sowing Festival in Manipur

By Brown Nongmaithem, Correspondent, Indian Observer Post

Imphal, Feb 15, 2019: The Seed Sowing Festival of Manipur Nagas has begun today at Mini Stadium, Senapati District HQs. in Manipur. The Seed Sowing Festival of Manipur, popularly called the ‘Lui- Ngai- Ni' is organised under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC) with the theme “Understanding Through Culture”, is hosted by Naga People Organisation (NPO).

The act of sowing of seeds is central to the culture of the Naga people and continues to be the fundamental element in the intra and inter community relationships and also of their world view. This two days long festival is being participated by twenty different tribes of Manipur with their rich different colorful cultural activities. The festival is a collective seed sowing of these different 20 tribes.

The Seed Sowing Festival is being celebrated by all Naga tribe almost simultaneously during the onset of spring to signify the propitious time for the sowing of seeds. During this festival, the gods are invoked for blessing of the seeds of crops so that they yield bounteous harvest that would ensure the general well being of the people.

The celebration of this Seed Sowing Festival began in 1987 and ever since it is being observed every year on 15th February in one of the Naga districts on rotational basis. In recognition of its significance, the State Government had declared as a State holiday and in 1997, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India had also listed "Lui Ngai Ni" as one of the tourist festival of India.

Speaking on the colourful indigenous Seed Sowing Festival...L. Dikho, Minister PHED, Printing and Stationery as chief guest stated that, the Lui- Ngai- Ni has been celebrated regularly with the displaying and sharing of cultures. He applauded the organizer teams for bringing various civil societies and organisations together.

He also stated that the seed has been sow for the better harvest. As people are concerned of environment he appealed the people to be more responsible by planting more trees and conserving the resources.

In his last inspection at Senpati District HQ Water Supply source at Khabung Karong, he was surprised with the high potential of water source. Senapati District being one of the water scarcity towns, he assured a new government project will be implemented shortly which will be made available to the town in all season. He appeals the people to bring more blessing with the celebration of Lui- Ngai- Ni 2019.

Khashim Vashum, MLA, Chingai AC and Samuel Jendai,MLA, Tamenglong AC attended the program and were the Guests of Honour of today function.

In today events, various activities like folk song, blowing Lui- Ngai- Ni trumpet, beating drums, lighting of fire, cultural dances and solo performances were performed from different Naga tribe. The blessing of seeds was invoked by the Chief of Saranamai village.

Many public leaders, Ex- MLAs, Ukhrul ADC Chairman, Tamenglong, ADC Chairman and Senapati ADC Chairman and its member attended today function.