Gang-Ngai Festival

The Kabui Naga people in Manipur are said to the be the most colourful tribal people in the entire north eastern region. Their culture and tradition strike major attention of the people from the home and abroad when they celebrate Gang-Ngai Festival. Also known as Chakaan Gaan Ngai, the weeklong festival falls in December-January which beckons many tourists who are really impressed with their music, dance and feast. Literally “Chakaan” means winter while “Gaan” means moonlit night and “Ngai” means festival. Initially, it was believed to have been celebrated on a moonlit night under the hills.

The entire colourful festival begins with Ngai-Gangmei performed by an elder who offer egg and ginger to the deity apart from sacrificing a pig or a mithun to the go. The next day is Ngai-dai. The  great part of the festival is popularly known as 'Tamchan Ngai.' “Tamchan Ngai” stands for performance of Tamchan dance). The dead ones get thetam-cha from their parents on this day. The grave yards are cleaned and beautified before performing songs and dances with traditional instruments. Then comes the third day. On this day of “Tuna-Gan-Ngai” which means the festival of the youth, the people pray for strength and prosperity.

The fourth day has no major music and dance programme. Known as “Rangteng pammei” which means ritual of reaffirmation, the people find it an occasion for Long ruimei or hill trekking. “Rangteng pammei” literally means means embracing the village gates.

The fifth day Napchanmei individually offering of pig and fowls to the deity for bounteous harvest. Then the youths organize a huge feast with dance and music. The boys sacrifice a pig at their dormitory before the feast.   

These people have a set of certain tradition to respect their forefathers. Dressed in their traditional attire, men and women come out of their houses and dance to the tune their traditional musical instruments.
They have their elders or priests who perform all religious formalities during the festival where they would get to know their future. The priests further suggest a slew of measures to keep the impending dangers at bay. The boys and girls equally share romantic songs and dances with each others much to the delight of the tourists. The best place to visit during this festival is the nagha dominated areas of the north eastern state.