Naga community of Senapati celebrates Lui- Ngai- Ni

Our Correspondent

Senapati, Feb. 16 (EMN):  Lui- Ngai- Ni, a seed sowing festival of Nagas was celebrated on February 15 with the theme “Understanding through culture” at the Mini Stadium in Senapati, 60 km north of Imphal.

The event was organised by the United Naga Council and hosted by the Naga People Organisation.

Lui-Ngai-Ni is one of the biggest festivals of the Naga community. The festival assumes much significance among the people of Northeast as it appeals for peaceful co-existence and spreads the message of ‘live and let live’ cutting across the barriers of caste, creed and religion.

The festival is marked by a plethora of cultural displays and events including lighting of the sacred fire, blessing of seeds to be sown for the season.

Minister for Public Health Engineering L Dikho who holds Printing and Stationery portfolio was the chief guest of the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Dikho said Lui- Ngai- Ni is celebrated regularly with the displaying and sharing of cultures. He applauded the organisers for bringing various civil societies and organisations together.

The minister urged the people to plant more trees and conserve the resources.

Senapati district being one of the water scarcity towns, he assured that a water supply project will be implemented shortly which will be made available to the town in all season.

MLAs Khashim Vashum (Chingai) and Samuel Jendai (Tamenlong) also attended the programme as guest of honours of the event.

Various activities like folk song, blowing Lui-Ngai-Ni trumpet, beating drums, lighting of fire, cultural dances and solo performances were performed by different Naga tribes.

The blessing of seeds was invoked by the Chief of Saranamai village.