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Gaan-Ngai 2025: Honoring Unity and Tradition in Manipur

The Gaan-Ngai festival, the Zeliangrong community's major post-harvest celebration, commenced on January 12, 2025, in Manipur. This lively five-day event showcases cultural performances and traditional ceremonies, marking the shift from the old year to the new, with a focus on promoting peace.

The Gaan-Ngai festival, the Zeliangrong community's most significant post-harvest cultural and religious celebration, began on January 12, 2025, in various parts of Manipur. Known for its lively cultural performances and traditional ceremonies, Gaan-Ngai unites the community in a spirit of harmony and joy. Spanning five days, the festival marks the transition from the old year to the new, with an emphasis on peace, prosperity, and communal healing.

Background

  • Community: Celebrated by the Zeliangrong people, which includes the Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Puimei tribes.
  • Meaning of the Name: "Gaan-Ngai" means "festival of the winter season" (Gaan = winter, Ngai = festival).
  • Agricultural Context: Gaan-Ngai is a post-harvest festival, symbolizing the end of the agricultural season when granaries are full and the land is dry.

2025 Celebrations
Date and Location: The festival began on January 12, 2025, and was celebrated in various regions, including Sagolband Ramji Kabui Village in Imphal West.
Chief Minister’s Participation: Chief Minister N Biren Singh attended the state-level celebrations and extended his warm wishes to the people of Manipur.

Key Events

  • Cultural Performances: The festival featured captivating cultural displays, with active participation from men, women, and youth.
  • Cultural Significance: It is a time for honoring ancestors through sacred rituals and prayers for the community's well-being.
  • Day 1 Rituals: The first day includes sacred fire rituals, paying homage to ancestors, and prayers for the health of the community. Ancestor graves are decorated with flowers.
  • Subsequent Days (2-5): The next four days feature:
    • Traditional dance and music performances by men and women in vibrant attire.
    • Community feasts where people come together to celebrate.
    • Gift exchanges among family and friends.
  • Inclusion of Sports Activities: In recent years, sports like long jump and shot put have been added to the festival celebrations.
  • Cultural Symbolism: Gaan-Ngai represents communal unity, peace, love, and prosperity, bringing the Kabui Nagas together in celebration.

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