Imphal: Keeping tradition alive, the indigenous people in Manipur exchanged love and unity to bring peace, integrity, and a prosperous future by celebrating the grandest festival, Ningol Chakkouba, with vibrant festivities, and family and community gatherings.
Traditionally, the festival is organized by the Meitei brothers/parents in every house in honour of their married sisters and daughters.
This festival was observed in the state after a year hiatus owing to the ongoing ethnic violence. At the invitation of their brothers, married women visited their parental houses with the utmost decorative dresses.
The brothers and sisters shared feasts abundant with a variety of ditches mostly fishes. Later, the brothers also presented gifts to their sisters seeking their blessings for a happy and prosperous year.
This festival started during the reign of King Chandrakriti (1850 – May 1886) in Manipur.
With the passage of the modern period on Sunday (November 3, 2024), several social organizations, and Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur state forces organized the events with grand feasts and presenting gifts to the different indigenous communities including the Naga women and other ethnic groups residing in the state.
The main events were organized at different locations on the theme of Ningol Chakouba to heal wounds and save people from the trauma and indignity of being displaced in their state.