N'Jang-Ngi fest begins

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 15: N'Jang-Ngi, a festival of the Thangal community under theme "Revitalize our Traditional Culture" has started at Mayangkhang Ningthoupham village today.
Managing Director BIPL Ibochaoba Singh and village chief BK John attended the inauguration ceremony as chief guest and president.
Different cultural dances and indigenous games and sports mark the festival, said village representatives.
Speaking at the event, village chief BK John said that the aged festival was stopped when the British colonised Manipur. With the adoption of Christianity, the festival was ignored even after the British left Manipur, he said and added that organising the event is an effort to revive the aged tradition and culture.
This is the 32nd edition of the festival, he said.
He continued that during the late 16th century, Kings of Manipur starting from Charairongba acknowledged and visited the festival.
The festival is organised to predict the future. Forefathers used to predict the future - rain, weather, crops production  and social issues/incidents etc, he said.