Chakaan Gaan-Ngai, the greatest festival of Zeliangrong people, was celebrated on December 29 with traditional fervour by Kabui (Rongmei) community of Kohima at their community hall in Nagabazaar, reported PTI.
Chairman of Tsutuonuomia (T Khel) Council of Kohima Village, Thepfuvilie Suohu and chairman of Nagabazar Panchayat, Thezielhoulie Sorhie exhorted the celebrants and asked them to extend cooperation for the betterment of society.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Zinia Gangmei also briefed the gathering about the festival stating that Gaan-Ngai was performed on the 13th day of Meitei month of Wakching as per Meitei Calendar (Chandrabda) of the lunar year. She added that Gaan-Ngai was a post harvest festival celebrated when the granaries were full, landscape was dry, and when the whole village was free from agricultural works, people turned to celebration, worship of God and honouring of the dead. Gaan-Ngai is thus the festival of both the death and living, she said.
She said that this festival was also described as a New Year festival as it marks the end of the year and beginning of New Year. Further she added that during Gaan-Ngai, those who died in the previous year are given ritual farewell or departure wherein their graves are beautified, dances are performed in their honour, and feast is given to the community in the honour of the dead.
Meanwhile, the celebration was marked by cultural dances and song by different groups, beside the community feast. Greeting was shared by Patrick Golmei while Babu Golmei chaired the celebration.