Partaking And Responsibility Of Zeliangrong Women In Gaan-Ngai Festival

Abstract

Festivals are considered as safety valve. It removes the stress and strain of time and circumstances. In a year, the Zeliangrong people of Northeast India celebrate nine festivals based on agricultural operations of lunar calendar. The ways of life of the people are reflected in their various festivals and their social relevance is very great. They provide not only entertainment and social festivities to them, but also act as an integrating force for the community as a whole. Among the festivals, Gaan-ngai is the biggest festival of the Zeliangrongs and it lasts for five days. It is during the celebration that they perform rites and rituals, offer prayer to Tingkao Ragwang, the Supreme God for abundant harvest, well-being and general prosperity for the whole village community. They also bid ritual farewell to the dead ancestors. The cultural values, the aesthetic and creative senses, their love of beauty and color are expressed in the festival. Dances, folk songs, drum beating, shouting of hoi, traditional games and sports etc. are performed in the festival. Various items of delicious food and drink for the festival are prepared and consumed. The role of women is very great as they actively take part in the festival like their male counterparts. The girls of the dormitory perform the dances called Chapa Laam and the married women too perform dances on the fifth day. Food and drink of the festival are prepared by them only. Without women the celebration of Gaan-ngai festival is incomplete. Usually, the Gaan-ngai festival is celebrated in the month of December or January every year.