“Lui- Ngai- Ni: The Seed Sowing Festival of Nagas

Abstract

Abstract

?Lui- Ngai- Ni? consist of three wards of the three Naga sub-tribes of Manipur. The ward ?Lui? comes from the original ward ?Luiraphanit? of the Langkhul Naga tribe, which is the seed sowing festival of the Tangkhul tribe. The second ward ?Ngai? is taken from Rongmei dialect to their seed sowing festival. Finally, the ward ?Ni? which is the extract of the Mao tribe is also for their seed sowing festival. Thus, as per this nomenclature, the ward ?Lui- Ngai- Ni? has become the common name of the seed sowing festival of Naga tribes of Manipur. Traditionally, this festival was celebrated just before they actually started their annual seed sowing activities. Now it has been elevated to the state level of festival in Manipur. It celebrates every year on 15th February, at any one of the hill districts in Manipur on rotation basis. Thefestival has been a great significance in the Naga’s life since their forefathers? time for agriculture was their only means of livelihood. The celebration of ?Lui- Ngai- Ni? festival meant asking to their god for good plantation and blessing for good harvest. This traditional festival is popularly celebrating even today at every village of the Nagas of Manipur in order to preserve their culture.