Gaan-Ngai 2025: Honoring Unity and Tradition in Manipur

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.