The Liangmai Makhan village celebrated ‘Chagan phungjanbo Ngee’ (festival) with surrounding villages today. It is a cultural festival which is usually celebrated on the onset every year asking God for blessings, according to Makhan Village Authority.
In the program, Ml Kaisungbou, MPS, Addl. SP, Senapati, Disubou Wijunamai, founder Green Tree Academy and Dr Alison Abonmai, social activist were invited as chief guests. Chairmen and chiefs of surrounding villages were also invited as special guests. Kailamdinang Abonmai, chief of Makhan village was the host of the festival.
The village chairman, Amang Abonmai highlighted the importance of Chagan Phungjanbo Ngee. He stated that usually at the end of the year (in the latter part December), the rite used to be conducted to sanctify all which are considered to be profane. After a series of ritual performances of sanctification, it waits for the arrival of New Year. When the New Year comes, that is January, this Changan Phungjanbo Ngee is celebrated asking God to bless them before the yearly activity starts. This festival structures the whole year of villagers.
“This festival is a ritual and festive event which involves folk dance, traditional games and singing folk songs at night, which is called ‘Matuibo’ in Liangmai. The youths used to collect wild vegetables and distribute it to the whole households without missing to any family of the village. Reaching vegetables every home by celibates, young maidens and lads,” the village authority also said.
According to Makhan Village Authority, this celebration is very important to draw and retain tangible cultural heritage and to preserve the endangered cultural practices in this globalised world. At the same time, festive events in the community reaffirm the identity and keep alive the traditions. “But, the viability of Chagan Phungjanbo Ngee downturns as festive events quite heavily depend on socio – economic conditions. “The mode of festival also changes with the beliefs, unlike the time our forefathers worshipped totem. The people make changes to congruent with the passing of time,” the Makhan Village Authority added.