Nagas in Manipur celebrate seed sowing festival 'Lui-Ngai-Ni'

A festive mood prevailed in Manipur's Senapati district as the farmers wearing exotic headgears, traditional costumes and ethnic ornaments celebrated the traditional seed sowing festival of 'Lui-Ngai-Ni'.

Held under the theme 'Sowing goodwill, reaping understanding', the festival marks the sowing of paddy crop.

T S Warangam, the convener, said that 'Lui-Ngai-Ni' is an important festival for Nagas in Manipur

"It is a very important festival because this is the only common festival for the Nagas in Manipur consisting of 16 Naga tribes. This is the festival to showcase our rich traditions and cultural heritage of the Manipur state," he said.

Various Naga tribes including Anal, Mao, Maram, Tangkhul, Zeliangrong and many others showcased their spectacular folk dances and songs. Naga folk dances like the war dance, weaving dance and the seed-sowing dance were showcased during the festival.

"I am very happy because many people and tribes get together and we are enjoying and celebrating this Lui-Ngai-Ni festival with great enthusiasm," said Thongkhung Babita Chothe, a participant.

"I feel very great and excited to see this special occasion. This is the first time that I am enjoying, together with different people from different tribes. It's a great experience and I learnt a lot and experienced a lot," added James, another participant.

The festival assumes more significance among the people of north-east as it appeals for peaceful co-existence and at the same time spreads the message of 'live and let live; cutting across the barriers of caste, creed and religion.