Senapati, Feb 15: Lui-Ngai-Ni 2025, the Naga Seed Sowing Festival, was celebrated at Katomei, Senapati.
The inaugural function of the festival was graced by former minister Awangbow Newmai as the Lui-Ngai-Ni Protagonist, MLA J. Kumo Sha as the Honoured Celebrant, and MLA L. Dikho as the Host of the celebration.
In his welcome note, N. Gonmei Poujan, Convenor of the State-Level Organizing Committee, stated that Lui-Ngai-Ni is not only a celebration of cultural heritage but also a platform to showcase the artistic talents of the Naga community. The music, dances, traditional attire parade from Naga tribes, and cultural night promised to be a spectacular display of tradition and creativity.
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While welcoming the gathering, the state-level organising convenor stated that the virtual presence of everyone bridged distances and brought people closer as a global Naga community. The organising committee expressed gratitude for the support and enthusiasm and urged everyone to come together in the spirit of unity, respect, and celebration. The convenor prayed that Lui-Ngai-Ni 2025 would be a festival that strengthens bonds, nurtures traditions, and inspires all to carry forward the legacy of their ancestors.
In his presidential address, Ng. Lorho, President of the UNC, stated that Lui-Ngai-Ni is an important occasion celebrated every year to mark the onset of the seed-sowing season. It is an occasion to invoke the Almighty’s blessings on the crops for a bountiful harvest. Each celebration showcases the rich cultural heritage and identity of the Nagas through various cultural programs and performances, including dances, songs, indigenous games, and colorful traditional attire, to preserve, promote, and pass on cultural values. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Nagas’ Cultural Fusion,” reflects the uniqueness of the Naga people.
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Although every Naga tribe has its own distinct and unique culture, the Nagas share more in common. While Westernization has been penetrating deep into the cultural system, fundamental principles and social norms are being diluted and are at risk of being dominated by foreign culture. The President stated that cultural assimilation is a danger that should not be allowed if it is not kept in check and balanced.
As the Nagas celebrate this year’s Lui-Ngai-Ni, the President prayed to Almighty God to shower His blessings on all for a bountiful harvest, love, peace, and better relations among the Nagas and all neighboring communities. The UNC President urged the community to continue standing strong and united as proud Nagas while wishing everyone a very happy Lui-Ngai-Ni 2025.
MLA Leishiyo Keishing, in his greetings, stated that each tribe within the Naga community has its distinct culture. Despite many differences and speaking different tongues, the common festival of Lui-Ngai-Ni brings them together, fostering love and unity among Nagas from different parts of the state. The festival has been celebrated in the past with great pomp and show. The MLA emphasized the need to show the oneness of the Naga community by organizing such festivals, which display various cultures and foster unity as a stepping stone to nation-building. He also urged all Nagas to actively participate in building relationships and unity among people for future progress in nation-building.
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MLA L. Dikho, as the Lui-Ngai-Ni host, expressed his delight in meeting different personalities from the Naga community during the celebration. He emphasized that coming together to celebrate, exchanging views, and getting to know one another are important for fostering unity among the people. The MLA also urged all Nagas to sow seeds for vegetation to sustain their livelihood and not only celebrate culture. While God has blessed the people with vast land and abundant resources, the host of the celebration stressed the need to preserve and cherish God’s creations. He highlighted the importance of preserving the environment, including flora and fauna, and protecting wildlife, greenery, plants, and trees. He reminded everyone that it is their duty to conserve the land and make the world a beautiful place to live in by planting more trees. MLA Dikho also lamented the frequent land disputes among the people.
Lui-Ngai-Ni Protagonist Awangbow Newmai stated that the Nagas are known for their courage, willingness to sacrifice for a good cause, generosity, and disciplined nature. The former minister noted that, due to the farsighted vision of past Naga leaders, the present Nagas are respected by all nations. In an effort to unite the Naga people, the Nagas have been in dialogue with the Government of India following the signing of a ceasefire agreement. While acknowledging the present generation’s achievements in education, the former minister regretted that many have become more selfish, self-centered, and less courageous in forgiving and sacrificing for one another. This, he noted, has led to divisions among the people.
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Speaking on border fencing, the NPF legislator stated that the Nagas would not accept artificial boundaries without reconsidering the historical boundaries of the Nagas. He affirmed that the NPF legislators support the demand of the Nagas against any policy that seeks to divide them. The former minister called for unity in fighting for a good cause and resisting any force attempting to break Naga unity. He also prayed that the Nagas would be an instrument of peace in the region. The former minister wished all Nagas and the people of the state a happy Lui-Ngai-Ni.
K. Namba, Chief of the Maram tribe, blessed the seeds to be sown and distributed seeds to all 22 Naga tribe presidents at the beginning of the program. The event also featured indigenous wrestling by the Poumai Naga tribe, the blowing of a buffalo horn by the Mao tribe, cultural dances by the Maring tribe, indigenous games by the Thangal tribe, and a folk fusion performance by the Mao, Thangal, and Anal tribes.
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