Peace call marks Chaga Ngee fest

Our Correspondent
SENAPATI, Oct 30: Transport Minister Khashim Vashum inaugurated Chaga Ngee festival of the Liangmai tribe at Marenmai village in Senapati district today.
Notably Chief Minister N Biren was scheduled to attend the festival but the paln had to be aborted as the CM had to proceed to Arunachal Pradesh.
Celebrated in the lunar month of Chaga Hiu,  Chaga Ngee is a post harvest festival of the Liangmai tribe.
Chaga Ngee is celebrated to purify the society and warriors, seeking blessings from Tingwang--the supreme God for good fortune.
Notably, the festival was declared a restricted holiday in the State by the Government on December 2, 2021.
At the inaugural ceremony today, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum was given a warm welcome by members of the Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Zone, Manipur in their beautiful traditional attire.
Traditional fire making and lighting of lamps marked the beginning of the festival.
Speaking as the chief guest, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum expressed happiness to see his old Liangmai friends on the occasion.
The Liangmai tribe is small but it has big roles to play in bringing peace in the State, he said.
He said there is strong unity among the people of the Liangmai tribe and lauded the Liangmai Naga as a God fearing tribe.
The Minister wished for the Liangmai community to celebrate, give thanks to God and stand united at all times.
Vashum urged the people of the community, CSO leaders and religious heads to make valuable contributions towards bringing lasting peace in Manipur.
The Minister also relayed messages of the Chief Minister and informed that electricity in the village will be improved and the road leading to the village will be blacktopped.
The Minister also informed that the CM has assured to set up one hostel in the village for students in the near future.
R Machundoubou, president, Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur and convenor, JTC said in olden days, the festival was celebrated by the forefathers with different rites and rituals.
"However, with the coming of Christianity in the region, it is celebrated in a refined manner having left the pagan way of the forefathers," he said.
Rev Maisongamang, Pastor, Ariang Baptist Church, LNBA-M led a special prayer on the occasion. Folk songs and traditional dances were showcased to mark the festival.