The Lui-Ngai-Ni, a Naga seed sowing festival, will take place on February 14 and 15 in Ukhrul district, Manipur, organized by the United Naga Council (UNC) and hosted by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL). This annual event marks the onset of the agricultural season, uniting various Naga communities to pray for a fruitful harvest and community well-being. The festival will showcase a range of traditional activities, such as rituals, ceremonial trumpet blowing, cultural dances, folk songs, speeches, and various forms of entertainment.
This year’s theme, “Cultural Renaissance,” signifies a revival and modern reinterpretation of Naga cultural heritage. Distinguished guests include Losii Dikho, chief guest and MLA from Mao Assembly Constituency; Dinganlung Gangmei, main celebrant and Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC); and Awangbow Newmai, principal celebrant and MLA from Tamei. The inaugural program will also feature greetings from Manipur Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel and Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei.
The closing ceremony will have messages from Chandel MLA Dr. S. S. Olish and Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing, with Khashim Vashum, MLA from Chingai Assembly Constituency, serving as the host. A program note associated with the festival emphasizes that culture is central to a community’s identity, values, and way of life. The Naga community consists of around 66–67 ethnic tribes across India and Myanmar, with 20 tribes found in Manipur, such as Anal, Aimol, Chothe, and Tangkhul.
The note elaborates on the theme “Cultural Renaissance,” describing it as a revival of traditional values, arts, and knowledge, molded to fit contemporary lifestyles. It reflects the Naga people’s dedication to reclaiming their history and cultural values while maintaining core traditions amid modernization. This year’s celebration aspires to instill both abstract and practical value systems that are integral to Naga culture, thereby shaping the collective future of the community.Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival Preparations Underway in Ukhrul