AnnaOgg388928 at 11:59, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T11:59:48Z

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{{Short description|Seed-sowing festiva in Manipur India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Lui Ngai Ni
| type = Naga cultural festival
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| observances = 14–15 February
| celebrations = Cultural exchange programs and activities
| significance = Seed sowing festival of the Nagas in [[Manipur]]
| relatedto = Marks the beginning of the yearly activities
}}

'''Lui Ngai Ni''' is the seed-sowing festival celebrated by the [[Naga people|Naga tribes]] of [[Manipur]] India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Festivals in Manipur|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Gaan_Ngai_And_LuiNgaiNi_Festival.lui_ngai_ni|accessdate= 28 July 2016| work=E-Pao}}</ref> The festival heralds the season of seed sowing and marks the start of the year for the Nagas and the festival was declared a state holiday since 1988.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nagas in Manipur|url=http://manipurtimes.com/lui-ngai-ni-unique-festival-for-people-with-unique-history-part-i/ |accessdate=28 July 2016 |work=Manipur Times|date=19 February 2016 |url-status= |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827072015/https://manipurtimes.com/lui-ngai-ni-unique-festival-for-people-with-unique-history-part-i/ }}</ref>

==Etymology==
The word "Lui - Ngai - Ni" is coined from three different [[Naga languages]]. "Lui" comes from "Luiraphanit", a [[Tangkhul language|Tangkhul]] word for seed sowing festival, "Ngai" means festival in [[Rongmei language]] and "Ni" is a [[Mao Naga language|Mao]] word for the seed sowing festival.<ref>{{cite news |last=Devi |first=N Mangi |date=2010-05-10 |title=Lui-Ngai-Ni ( The Naga Seed Sowing Festival ) |url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Gaan_Ngai_And_LuiNgaiNi_Festival.Lui_ngai_ni_Mangi |work=e-Pao |access-date=2024-02-19 }}</ref>

The festival is celebrated annually on 15 February at the start of the spring season. During the festival, the Naga tribes in Manipur namely [[Anāl Naga people|Anal]], [[Mao Naga people|Mao]], [[Maram Naga people|Maram]], [[Poumai Naga people|Poumai]], [[Tangkhul Naga people|Tangkhul]], [[Zeme people|Zeme]], [[Liangmai Naga people|Liangmai]], [[Rongmei Naga people|Rongmei]], [[Inpui language|Inpui]]/Puimei, [[Moyon]], [[Monsang people|Monsang]], [[Maring Naga people|Maring]], [[Khoibu people|Khoibu]], [[Kom people (Manipur)|Kom]], [[Tarao Naga people|Tarao]], [[Lamkang people|Lamkang]], [[Chothe people|Chothe]], [[Kharam people|Kharam]], [[Chiru people|Chiru]], [[Koireng people|Koireng]], and [[Thangal people|Thangal]] come together at the designated location to converge and showcase their rich cultural heritage. Apart from the major Naga tribes in Manipur, other Naga tribes from [[Nagaland]], [[Assam]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]] partake in the festivities as special guests and invitees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Report on Lui Ngai Ni Celebration|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-nagas-in-manipur-celebrate-seed-sowing-festival-lui-ngai-ni-2062740|accessdate= 28 July 2016| work=DNA India}}</ref> The Ministry of Tourism of the Government of India on 24 December 1986 gave away a special day of remembrance and recognition for the Nagas. Since then it is celebrated in various Naga's inhibited areas. It is the second major inter-tribe Naga festival after [[Hornbill Festival]], which is celebrated by more than ten Naga tribes of Nagaland.

== Significance ==
The festival is a special occasion to honour and appease the gods of crop and to pray for the well-being of the people. Various cultural activities are showcased during the festival such as [[Cultural Dances]] and songs, including various cultural attire shows, lighting of the fire, drum beating, traditional folk dances and songs. Lui-Ngai-Ni festival is celebrated in all the Naga inhabited areas in Manipur, however, the main festivity is hosted alternately at the Naga inhabited district headquarters namely [[Ukhrul]], [[Tamenglong]], [[Senapati]] and [[Chandel, Manipur|Chandel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lui Ngai Ni Festival 2024 – Know Everything|url=https://festivler.com/festival/india/lui-ngai-ni-festival-know-everything |work=Festival Traveller|access-date=2024-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Holiday list|url=http://manipur.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/general_holiday_2016.pdf|accessdate= 28 July 2016| work=Government of Manipur}}</ref>

The festival is a unique event to respect and conciliate the divine forces of yield and to appeal to God for the prosperity of the general population. Different social exercises are exhibited amid the celebration, for example, [[Culture|Cultural]] [[Dance]]s and melodies, including different social clothing appears, lighting of the fire, drum thumping etc. All [[tribe]]s comes together in unity and showcase their culture and identity which tighten their bond of brotherhood.

== See also ==
* [[Hornbill Festival]], an inter-ethnic festival celebrated in [[Nagaland]].

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://festivler.com/festival/india/lui-ngai-ni-festival-know-everything/ '''Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival 2023''' - Know Everything]

{{Nagaland}}

[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:Festivals in Manipur]]
[[Category:Naga people]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Manipur]]

Lui Ngai Ni - Revision history

AnnaOgg388928 at 11:59, 25 March 2026