The Sangai Fest 2025 : Why its return matters and why it must be inclusive

Sagolsem Reema
Manipur stands at a crossroad after two difficult years marked by ethnic conflict and mass displacement and the return of the Sangai Festival in 2025, now in its 12th edition, has drawn both anticipation and criticism. The theme of this year’s Unity, Healing, and Inclusion is not just a slogan it is a test, a test of whether Manipur can celebrate its cultural identity while acknowledging the deep wounds that still remain.
Culture, when used thoughtfully, can be a bridge toward recovery and dismissing the festival entirely ignores another truth. For many especially the thousands living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) the idea of a festival may feel premature because their lives are still defined by uncertainty, temporary shelters, and unhealed trauma yet Manipur cannot rebuild by silence alone.
A Government decision to revive the festival comes with responsibility, a responsibility to rebuild social trust among communities. Rebuilding economy and reasserting Manipur’s strength is another objective.
The Sangai Festival has always been more than a cultural showcase in Manipur for it is one of the few spaces which are not luxuries but are necessities where diverse communities stand side by side sharing art, food and beautiful performances.
Due to the conflict, Manipur’s tourism has suffered a major heavy blow affecting local businesses artisans, home stay owners. Hotels and transport workers have gone through two years of shrinking incomes and the return of Sangai Festival offers a vital economic injection in the State and if managed well it can become a lifeline for families still trying to regain stability after the conflict.
Hosting the Sangai Festival sends a message to the world and especially to the people of Manipur that the cultural spirit of all the communities has not been extinguished by violence or division.
But supporting and celebrating the festival does not mean overlooking the suffering and ignoring those still displaced. Actually the Government’s credibility will depend on how sincerely it centres the concerns of IDPs.
There are some practical and meaningful steps to ensure the Sangai Festival reflects the theme----
* Create a dedicated space for exhibitions about the lives and resilience of displaced families
* Ensure a share of tourism revenue is earmarked directly for rehabilitation and the development of IDPs.   
* Invite IDP artisans, weavers, performers, and entrepreneurs to participate and earn
* Host community-healing dialogues alongside the festival
These steps will not only erase the pain of the past two years but they can be a signal of a genuine intention and proof that the Sangai Festival is not a distraction but a part of Manipur’s healing process.
Why the return of The Sangai Festival matters
Postponing and not organising the festival will not resolve any conflict but reviving and responsibly at that can help build a foundation for long term recovery of Manipur. Culture has always been a stabilising force for societies, communities and individuals. Creating dialogue between different individuals and offering emotional relief in times of despair help immensely.
The real challenge is not whether the festival should happen but how it happens Will it be inclusive ? Will it acknowledge the hurt of the IDPs ? Will it uplift those most affected ?
The Sangai Festival 2025 is a symbol, an opportunity, a chance to not forget the past but to redefine our future for choosing reconci- liation over resentment with empathy and fairness.
Manipur deserves economic revival, celebration and displaced families deserve recognition and dignity.
Supporting the festival while demanding responsibility from the Government is not contradictory it is the only way forward because healing like culture works best when everyone is invited to the same table.
The writer can be reached at [email protected]