Essence of Gaan-Ngai Spread the teachings of Tingkao Ragwang to promote peaceful coexistence (Tingkuradin 2025:33)

Dr Budha Kamei
Contd from previous issue
The ritual offering (Napchanmei) is carried out by the household mother as the deity of rice is female.
Raangpatmei: The last day of the festival is called Raangpatmei, gate opening; (Raang means village gate and Patmei, to open). In olden days, the village gates were closed during the festival to secure from enemy attack or raid. On this day, a ceremony called Raren Loumei, worship of Seven Bothers Gods, presiding deities of the village, gods of different aspects of nature like the God of fire, wind etc., propitiation of evil spirits not to disturb men is performed by offering fowls, wine, water, ginger, egg etc. for wellbeing of the whole village community. It is carried out by a priest outside the Northern gate of the village, the seat of Kaipi Bambu, upper village deity. A complete genna known as Neihmei (prayer) is observed during the period of the sacrifice. The chickens are cooked at the ritual place and consumed by the elders of Pei, old women and children who are not yet admitted in the boys’ and girls’ dormitories. T.C Hudson has rightly stated that in Kabui society food tabus are not rigidly imposed on either the very young or the old. Adults are prohibited from eating these chickens. Appointments and retirements of person, handing over of charges, etc, in connection with religious-cultural matters concerning the village are announced at this place. Such announcements which are believed to be made in front of the gods have strong customary sanctions behind them. Raren Loumei may be interpreted as send off the deities because the members of Khangchu blow horns of the mithun at the Daanshanpung on the first day of Wakching communicating to gods and men regarding the coming Gaan-ngai festival.
Buhkaomei: After the completion of Raren Loumei ceremony, the village elders return at the Peikai with a Hoi procession where a priest holding a big cock and performs Buhkaomei, calling of the soul invoking Tingkao Ragwang to extend protection to the people of the village from death and danger and provide welfare to the village and its people. The pieces of cooked chicken will be distributed to every household of the village.
Thei-Kadimei: In the festival, Thei-Kadimei, ritual farewell is given to the persons who died in the previous year in the form of parting meal provided by concerned family to his/her friends. It is believed that the departed soul does not leave the village until the parting meal is over. The grave is beautified and drinks and eatables are also placed on it as a way of sharing the meal with him or her. It may be interpreted as a farewell banquet– a send off one who is unwilling to go at the termination of which the deceased is formally but firmly shown the door. Therefore, Gaan-ngai is the festival of both the living and dead.
Joupan Keimei: A libation is a ritual pouring of a liquid (milk or other fluid such as rice) as an offering to a god. It was common in many religions of antiquity and continues to be offered in various cultures today. In Gaan-ngai festival, every rite is concluded by offering of holy wine to Tingkao Ragwang, Ditingmei, Kaipi Bambu, Kaiba Bambu, Kairao for well being and prosperity and propitiation of wine to evil spirits not to give trouble to men.
Cultural activities
Festival competitions include various forms of contests such as drum beating, singing, dance etc.  In Gaan-ngai festival, the boys and girls of the dormitories perform various types of dance and music.
Dance (Laam)
Dancing is not solely a human invention, as birds and monkeys also engage in dance. It is perhaps one of the earliest forms of human expression of joy. As societies became more organized, different types of dances were created for various occasions. During community festivals, people celebrate with merriment, feasting, dancing, and singing. Typically, unmarried boys and girls wear colorful traditional attire while actively participating in these activities. It is believed that dances have a divine origin, as they were learned from the gods. Most folk dances feature simple steps, such as walking, hopping, skipping, and whirling, while others exhibit more intricate patterns.
The dances performed in the Gaan-ngai festival are also known as Chapa Laam. They are Khangbon Kadi Laam, farewell dance to Khangbon (leader of the Khangchu), Thei Kadi Laam, dance in honor of the dead, Tamchan Laam, Tuna Kadimei Laam (farewell dance to a bride), Pazeimei, dance waving of sash etc. Dances like Laophun, Laoreo, Laotai, Laodi Laam etc demonstrate the movement of hand depicting the seed sowing, weeding, cutting of paddy plants and harvest are included in the Chapa Laam. Man learns from nature the form of dancing based on the movements of birds, animals and insects. Dances of imitation of animals and insects are Gaa Laam, crab dance, Khoiguna Laam, bee mating dance, Kit Laam, cricket dance, Raengdai Laam, dance of hornbill, Goichei Bang Laam, the dance of movement of the horn of the bull, Apang Laam, huluk (monkey) dance of plucking fruits, Tareng Laam, spinning dance etc. All the festival dances are accompanied by relevant songs and musicals instruments like drum, cymbals, gong etc.
Folk song (Lu)
The folk songs are at the heart of Zeliangrong culture and are believed to have a divine origin. It is said that these songs were adopted from those sung by the gods. They express a range of human experiences, including love, hardship, hope, frustration, and victory. Festival songs, known as Chapa Lu, play an important role in cultural festivities. During the festival, a singing competition takes place at night between girls and boys, where no song is repeated by any singer. Additionally, some boys travel around the village, singing songs that praise the strength and courage of their community. Families in the village host these participants, providing drinks as a form of entertainment. This tradition is referred to as Kairong Lonmei, which means guarding the village.
Drum beating (Khong Baimei)
In addition, they perform various types of traditional drumming, known as Khong Baimei, and play the harp, called Rah Jaimei, during the festival.
(To be contd)