Gaan-Ngai
Gaan-Ngai is a festival of the Zeliangrong people. It is celebrated in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states in North Eastern India. It is a festival of light. It is a post harvest festival.
| Gaan-Ngai | |
|---|---|
 Gaan-Ngai celebration | |
| Significance | Harvest festival |
| Date | November-December |
Observance
changeGaan-Ngai is a festival of light.[1] It celebrates the victory of light over evil. It welcomes the coming of fire.[2] It is a harvest festival. It is celebrated to thank the God Tingkao Ragwang. It announces the start of a new year.
The festival is usually celebrated in the month of November or December. Some times it might be celebrated later in January.[3] The festival is also called as Hega Ngi and Chaga Ngi or Chaga Gadi by the tribal people.[4]
Background
changeThe people who celebrates this festival believes that, Life was created on earth by Tingkao Ragwang, the creator god.[5] There was no cooked food to eat.[6] After praying to god, the god gave fire.[6] The fire was used to cook rice. The festival is celebrated to honor the same.[6] The festival is celebrated for five days.[7][5]
Practices
changeFestival include various rituals, prayers and festivities. God is offered the first taste of meals and drinks. God is taken on a procession. Various games and sports are conducted. A new fire is produced using bamboo wood to cook. Fire means bright future. Food and meat are distributed to all. The festival also honors those who died in previous year. Graves are decorated and offerings are made. This enables the souls to go to heaven. Music, dance and songs are also part of the festival.[8]
References
change- ↑ Saṃskr̥ti sandhāna. Vol. 20. Rāshṭrīya Mānava Saṃskr̥ti Śodha Saṃsthāna. 2007. p. 206.
- ↑ Gupta, K. R. Gupta & Amita (2006). Concise Encyclopaedia of India. Atlantic Publishers. ISBN 978-8-126-90639-0.
- ↑ "Tradition and modernity in Manipur festivals". Tribune India. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ↑ "Manipur: Gaan Ngai festival of Zeliangrong community to be celebrated on 4th January". News on Air. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Aspects of Gaan Ngai". E-pao. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Kamei, Samson. A Struggle for Survival of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak in Manipur. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-82888-7.
- ↑ Kamei, Jenpuiru (2012). Gaan Ngai: A Festival of the Zeliangrong Nagas of North East India (research and Documentation). Ministry of Culture, Government of India. p. 126. ISBN 978-8-183-70326-0.
- ↑ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur. Gyan Publishing House. p. 623. ISBN 978-8-178-35864-2.