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The Naga people have a deep appreciation for festivals, celebrating numerous events throughout the year, particularly among the Zeliangrongpui Nagas in Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam. These festivals, integral to agricultural practices, express gratitude to the Supreme Being for blessings received. Chaga Ngee, celebrated by the Liangmai community on October 30 and the 31st, is one of the most significant festivals. It encompasses themes of purification, reconciliation, and thanksgiving, with communal feasting and cultural displays marking its observance. It involves the sharing of resources and serves as a means of honouring God for the blessings that yield bountiful harvests and promote good health. The festival has significantly influenced Liangmai society, enriching their lives and imparting meaning since ancient times.
However, with the advent of Christianity, the church has viewed the celebration of Chaga Ngee as incompatible with Christian teachings, labelling it as secular, worldly, and sacrilegious. In contemporary society, there is a pressing need for liberation from the constraints imposed by both secular and sacred perspectives. This gradual recognition of the religious significance of traditional festivals has emerged over the past few decades. As a result, the Liangmai people have begun to reclaim and reinterpret their traditional festivals, aiming to contextualise and revive aspects of their lost cultural heritage.
Distinctiveness of Chaga Ngee
The celebration of Chaga Ngee typically spans five days and is observed with great care. As the festive period approaches, a herald publicly announces that no conflicts, quarrels, or riots are permitted during and after Chaga. The festival commences with “Chamimalapbo” (making fire), also referred to as the “Day of Welcome.” On this day, after partaking of their preferred foods, the youth gather in their morungs with the elders to engage in humorous exchanges and song. Children also collect their own chaga roosters, competing in size and strength.
The following day is designated for “Npengkiapbo” (totem shooting). The Npeng must be fashioned to resemble a human figure representing an enemy. Participants maintain purity, avoiding sexual impurity, and, while loudly proclaiming their ancestors’ names, shoot arrows at the Npeng. Specific outcomes are attributed to different successful hits: a strike to the head signifies the enemy’s death from pain; a hit to the neck grants the shooter an abundance of rice; a strike to the heart indicates the enemy will suffer greatly; a hit to the right chest signifies the enemy will perish in battle; and a hit to the left chest suggests the shooter will attract many suitors. If a participant fails to hit the Npeng, the singkupao (priest) will place the Npeng stick at the feet of the Npeng as a sign of surrender. Following the shooting, the boys return to their dormitories, continuing to chant and celebrate.
The subsequent day is termed “Gadi” or “pon malaungbo” (sharing of meals and resources), where individuals from all socio-cultural and religious backgrounds partake in a grand feast, enjoying meat, rice beer, and dressing in their finest traditional attire. The final day, known as “chagapabo,” is particularly reserved for the elderly and women, who continue to consume leftover food and drinks, referred to as zauba sakbo/ganjung kalumtiubo (eating leftovers). Until the leftovers are finished, it is considered taboo to engage in any domestic chores.
Throughout the festival, both married and unmarried men and women adhere to strict disciplines to avoid impurity. Men and women prepare their own dishes to maintain purification, and it is taboo for men to touch or consume food prepared by women until the festival concludes. Violations of these rules are believed to bring bad luck (Padonsa-e) in warfare. Moreover, the grand celebration of Chaga is thought to result in a bountiful rice harvest, reduced conflict, and fewer casualties in the village. The festival is also a harvest celebration, typically observed after the new rice has been gathered; the community expresses the belief, “As we eat new rice, people will not die or suffer food shortages.”
Relevance for Present Context
Chaga Ngee: Honouring God
Chaga Ngee is a festival dedicated to honouring God. After a season of hard work and bountiful harvests, the community acknowledges that their prosperity is a result of divine blessings. This signifies the intrinsic connection between the festival and the recognition of God’s providence. Celebrating the festival without acknowledging God would be a neglect of His blessings. During Chaga Ngee, participants engage in prayer and praise, seeking protection, security, and safety in their daily lives. This principle warrants redevelopment in contemporary society.
Chaga Ngee: Reconciliation, Peace, and Harmony
A significant aspect of Chaga Ngee is its emphasis on reconciliation, peace, and harmony. The festival serves as a public declaration to cease conflicts—whether between individuals, such as spouses, or within the broader community. Peace and reconciliation take centre stage during Chaga Ngee, prompting today’s diverse society to strive for harmonious coexistence, aligned with shared beliefs.
Chaga Ngee: Purification, Sanctification, and Rededication
Another vital component of Chaga Ngee involves purification and sanctification. Participants engage in rituals to cleanse themselves of impurities, symbolising renewal. Homes are cleaned, and clothing is laundered, representing a commitment to self-purification and social transformation. This cleansing process can significantly impact contemporary society, fostering the realisation of God’s reign.
Chaga Ngee: Promoting an Egalitarian Society
A defining characteristic of the Indigenous Liangmai society is the generous sharing of resources. This egalitarian ethos ensures that all individuals, regardless of social class -- be they men or women, young or old, wealthy or impoverished -- are included in the celebration of Chaga Ngee. This spirit of love, care, and concern fosters peaceful relationships, counteracting selfishness and exploitation. Such principles are essential for addressing and transforming the social inequalities present in today’s society.
Chaga Ngee: Respect for Women, the Elderly, and Persons with Disability
The festival embodies a profound respect and care for women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, in today’s world, societal advancements have often overlooked these fundamental humanitarian values. Today, as urban and rural settings increasingly prioritise superficial progress, there is a pressing need to reinstate respect for all members of the community, including provisions like seating for the elderly on public transport.
While modernisation has transformed lives, it often lacks supportive alternatives conducive to community well-being. This has led to a disconnection from cultural roots and values. Thus, it is crucial to facilitate socio-cultural transformation, rediscovering the values embedded within one’s own heritage. Present-day Liangmais celebrate Chaga Ngee with renewed perspectives, honouring God across various denominations and religious barriers, fostering a sense of community identity. Thus, our society must rekindle its values—honouring God, sharing resources, renewing moral principles, respecting every individual, and uniting people to build the kingdom of God in the present moment.
Rev. Dr. Tunchapbo SP
Principal, Immanuel Theological Seminary
Tamenglong