Kohima, November 24 (MExN): A history-cultural confluence called Makuiluangdi Festival 2019 is being organized by Luangdimai Citizens Forum (LCF) in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) and the North Eastern Council (NEC) on the theme “Malanwangbo” - Return of the Native” at Makuiluangdi Village under Senapati district of Manipur from November 28 to 30.
Convener media and publicity committee for the festival, K Elu Ndang informed that Luangdimai, also called Zeliangrong (and Inpui) people who live in four different states of the country - Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram trace their roots to a single common mega-village known as Makuiluangdi.
The term “Luangdimai” mean people of the Makuiluangdi village, where their forefathers lived prosperously, likened to a “Golden Era” and they dispersed to different directions in search of better pastures and are now settled in the present Luangdimai/Zeliangrong territory in the North Eastern part of India.
The Makuiluangdi Festival is being organized to create a platform where all Luangdimai village representatives, visitors and participants alike can relive the rich historical and traditional ways in the actual landscape as in costumes, arts, cuisines, craft, dances and music which are strongly kept alive throughout these days, he said.
The festival intends to reflect on the journey and the progress that Luangdimai people have made since their dispersal from Makuiluangdi about 2000 years ago, he said.
In keeping with the tradition, the festival will commence with the making of the sacred fire, lighting of lamp and hoisting of festival flag, he said, adding that, elders gathered at the congregation will be given the honor to initiate these items.
One of the main highlights of the festival will be the ‘Stone-Piling’ ceremony of Malanwangbo: Return of the Native to Makuiluangdi, conceptualized as a response to the dispersal that took place 2000 years ago, he said. It is said that before dispersing from Makuiluangdi, Luangdimai ancestors solemnly piled stones, as a symbol of their prosperity and a reminder to their posterity.
In this, LCF requested all Luangdimai villages to bring a stone each to be used in the stone-piling ceremony as a symbol of the return to Makuiluangdi.
Ndang further said that apart from online registration, the organizing committee shall also accept registration at the festival venue. However, concerned person/village can send SMS or Whatsapp on or before November 25 to the Mobile Number: +919599578162 mentioning their name, village and number of persons. Further details about the festival can be availed through website: makuiluangdifestival.com.
