Nagaland LCF to host Ultra Trail Expedition ahead of Malangwangbo 2025

As part of the journey to rediscover the history and lineage of the Luangdimai (Zeliangrong), the Luangdimai Citizens Forum (LCF) will be organising an Ultra Trail Expedition, comprising of running, cycling, motorbiking, and car rally—from the Naga’s common ancestral home, Makhel, to Makuiluangdi Village (present Senapati District of Manipur). The route marks the legendary path where the ancestors are believed to have traversed, took shelter and then finally established at the Makuiluangdi civilisation. This expedition is not only a tribute to ancestral memory but also a celebration of adventure, fitness, fellowship, and cultural pride among participants and enthusiasts.
Participants and villagers will march together to the Hallowed Ground of Makuiluangdi Village, where trail participants will lead a grand cultural procession culminating in a mega cultural show atop the mountain. Night-long festivities are scheduled for November 21. A key highlight of Malangwangbo 2025 will be the Luangdimai Village Stone Piling Ceremony. More than 620 villages from Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and other parts of Northeast India are expected to bring engraved stones representing their village names, symbolizing unity and a shared cultural heritage. The festival will feature traditional dance performances from the Zeliangrong Heraka Association, Tingkao Raguang Chapriak, and Poupei Chapriak groups. Participants will appear in full traditional attire, while local stalls will serve indigenous cuisines and beverages. Exhibitions of crafts, clothing, literature, herbal medicines, and art will offer visitors a deeper connection to ancient knowledge and aesthetics. Youth-focused events—ranging from folk song contests to traditional sports and art competitions—will also be part of the celebration.
Named after Makuiluangdi, the ancestral homeland of the Zeliangrong people, the festival traces its origins to 2019, when the LCF first launched the event in 2019, under the theme “Malangwangbo,” meaning “Return of the Native.”
The theme signifies a symbolic homecoming for Luangdimai people from across regions. This year, the programme will include a re-enactment of the historic Naga dispersal at Makhel, co-hosted by the Mao Council on November 18.