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DIMAPUR — The Zeliang People's Organisation, Chümoukedima, celebrated the Chaga Gadi and Langsimnyi festivals of the Zeliang community on Tuesday at Chümoukedima ward-I, on the theme 'Abundant blessings'.
According to a press release, hundreds of members of the Zeliang community from within and outside the Chümoukedima district gathered to celebrate the festival in traditional attire and finery.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]It mentioned that both festivals were celebrated on October 31, though they were previously celebrated separately in the last week of October and the first week of November.
Speaking on the occasion, Neiba Newmai, IPS (retd.), the host of the celebration, highlighted the significance of the Chaga Gadi, stating that in anticipation of God's blessings, men at this time of year go through the sanctification ritual and also consume food cooked separately by themselves with a new fire made in a traditional way.
Another significant event is the spearing of Npeung (a pole carved with human figures) in a fortune test in which men and women march up and down the length of the village, uniting in mob howling before the spearing takes place.
Similarly, he stated that during Langsimnyi, all households maintain abstinence so that no one is injured or harmed while the boys and young men compete in various games and sports.
Rev. Dr. Rabi Pame, director of Blessing Ministry, exhorted the gathering to practice and preserve one's culture by rejecting anything that falls short of the standard set by the Bible.
The festival was also attended by government officers, social workers, community leaders, and various dignitaries.
Kohima: The Kohima Liangmai Welfare Society Kohima also celebrated the community’s premier festival, Chaga Gadi, at Kisama Heritage village on October 30.
According to a DIPR report, the event was attended by Awangbo Newmai, Minister for Water Resources and Relief and Disaster Management, Government of Manipur, as the special guest.
Awangbo emphasised the importance of preserving linguistic diversity in his speech. He noted that each language has its own way of expressing and facilitating communication between people, which contributes to a better understanding of one's culture and identity.
The minister urged the audience to encourage children to learn and promote their native language, allowing them to compete with their peers. He also underscored the importance of preserving traditional customs that are passed down through generations.