Senapati, Feb 14: Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2025, Naga Seed Sowing Festival commenced at Katomei, Senapati under the theme, “Celebrating Naga Cultural Fusion.” The event is organized by the state-level organizing committee under the aegis of the United Naga Council and hosted by the Naga People’s Organisation.
Khashim Vashum, former minister of Transport, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Manipur, was the main celebrant of the introductory function.
In his welcome note, H. Kuba Peter, President of the Naga People’s Organization stated that Lui-Ngai-Ni is the biggest festival for the Nagas in the South. It is a festival where people come together and praise God while seeking God’s blessings to give a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
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Ch. Loli Sheshuna, Finance Secretary, State Level Organising Committee stated that the Naga tribes in the South had a consultative meeting in 1986 in which it was resolved to organize a common cultural festival, Lui-Ngai-Ni every year encompassing all the Nagas in the Southern Naga inhabited areas. On 15th February 1987, the first Lui-Ngai-Ni was celebrated which was recognized by the Govt of Manipur as a General Holiday of the state in 1988, and the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India listed it as one of the Tourist Festivals in 1997.
While culture has played a pivotal role in determining a people’s identity as it is closely interlinked with the belief system, values, laws, conventions, etc., it also determines and establishes the relationship between the Nagas and the common Naga land laws, ecology and environment, agriculture, knowledge, etc, he stated. The common laws that permeate Naga Society about the aforementioned practices demonstrate the cultural fusion happening in everyday lives. So, it is a comprehensive term that encompasses various spheres of life and includes both material and immaterial aspects. It also includes both established laws and conventional practices whether adopted consciously or unconsciously.
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The theme; “Celebrating Naga Cultural Fusion” is a reflection of the consolidation, solidification, and internalization of “Naganess Identity” which is apparent in the conscious willingness to participate in the common cultural event, Lui Ngai Ni which is practiced by all Naga tribes irrespective of the present geographical locations. The various conscious willful rites, rituals, acts of supplications, and invoking upon the Almighty for a bountiful blessing in the future that all the Nagas perform to propitiate the Almighty is a cultural fusion in display. It includes a fusion of ideas, beliefs, words, and acts.
Christianity and modern education are here to stay and have influenced society in more ways than one. As culture is a dynamic process, and people have successfully fused them with its culture, eg. it was customary for a host to provide a cup of pure rice beer to his visitors, now the present generations offer a cup of tea. In cultural events, people invoke the presence of the Almighty God, not gods. Language, the vehicle of culture, is being zealously preserved, protected, and promoted by all. So, the fusion of these elements also contributes to the cultural identity, which implies the fusion of its various elements contributing to Naganess, he said.
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Main celebrant, Khashim Vashum in his speech stated that he was truly honored to be part of the celebration and gave his respect to the past state ministers, social workers, ex-MLAs, and foregone leaders. Lui-Ngai-Ni marks the beginning of seed sowing for the coming year, a time when Naga farmers prepare their fields for planting. The festival deeply recruited in agricultural traditions, serving as an occasion to express gratitude for the past harvest while seeking blessings for the prosperous season ahead. The idea of having a common festival was conceived way back in 1984 when a few Naga social workers and leaders expressed their views and the importance of such a festival. Vashum stated that the service rendered by various student groups of different tribes who relentlessly stood by the mission of Naga leaders and made the dream into reality. The former minister urged to walk the talk, to learn from the past leaders who had made the Lui-Ngai-Ni a symbol of Naga identity. The former minister also urged the gathering to honor the state legacy of the Naga leaders who pioneered the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival as a celebration to become an integral part of the Naga culture, promoting unity, gratitude, and hope for a prosperous future and prays to bring peace and prosperity in the coming year.
Ng. Lorho, President of the United Naga Council hoisted the celebration flag at the beginning of the program. Traditional horn blowing from the Maram Union marked the beginning of the festival.
Cultural dance was showcased by the Joint Tribal Council and folk fusion from B. Rakoveine and party during the program.
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