IT News
Imphal, Nov 1:
The much-revered Ningol Chakouba festival, traditionally celebrated on the second day of Hiyangei, unfolded at Chadong Village, Kamjong District, with the theme “Solidarity, Confluence, and Co-existence.” Organized by the Indigenous People’s Forum, Manipur, this year’s celebration emphasized resilience, cultural unity, and interdependence amidst the ongoing challenges faced by Manipur’s indigenous communities.
Ningol Chakouba, an ancient tradition symbolizing familial bonding, involves male siblings inviting their married sisters, or “Ningols,” for a collective feast to honor familial love and cultural values. This year’s observance at Chadong Village highlighted the need to preserve and uphold the traditional ethos, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect beyond ethnic and community divisions.
The forum stressed that in the face of economic globalization and developmental pressures impacting local traditions and livelihoods, festivals like Ningol Chakouba serve as vital anchors for sustaining indigenous cultural values and ecological harmony. As Manipur continues to recover from recent challenges, including the May 3, 2023, violence that disrupted traditional festivities and impacted livelihoods, this festival offers a moment of healing, fostering a collective spirit for resilience and fraternity.
With a call to avoid commodifying traditional festivals, the Indigenous People’s Forum urged the community to embrace the event’s essence, promoting it as a unifying cultural resource that echoes shared heritage and mutual care. The historic celebration at Chadong, marked by vibrant traditional attire, resonated as a symbol of love, unity, and the enduring strength of indigenous customs in Manipur.