Local Festivals of Northeast India Losoong Festival, Sikkim
Ngada Festival, Nagaland
Losooong Festival is considered one of the most important and vibrant festivals of Sikkim. The festival is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil spirits who are potentially harmful to the peaceful existence of humans. It is considered a very important festival for the farmers who feel the need to rejoice and indulge in merrymaking after a tedious harvest season. The Losoong festival is spread over seven days, each day specifically earmarked for a special purpose. It is divided into Tshe Chi (1st day), Tshe Nyi (2nd day), Tshe Sum (3rd day), Tshe Zhi (4th day), Tshe Nga (5th day) and the 6th and 7th days are collectively called Nyempo Gu Zom or “black day”. Normally, Losoong is preceded by the ‘Gutor’ ceremony, which is performed in the Gonpa(monastery) for warding off any obstacles and evil spirits and also for the overall prosperity of the people. All the households of the village gather at their respective Gonpas and attend this ceremony with their share of offerings. The Gutor ceremony usually starts from Nyer Druk (26th) day of the 10th lunar month and conclude in the noon of Namgang (30th) day of the month. Some major Gonpas perform mask dances during the last two or three days signifying the act of subjugating evil spirits. Finallyin the evening of Nyer Gu (29th) day of the month, the Effegies are ceremoniously carried off to the place where a Torkhim(a triangular shaped bamboo or wood framework cast upon three branches posts in order to summon evil spirits and then to burn them down, signifying complete exorcism) has been constructed. Afterwards, the Lamas (title given to a teacher) return to the Gonpa. But before entering, it is made sure that the containers used in carrying the Tormas(figures made mostly of flour and butter used in rituals) are purified, by placing them upside down on the ground before the main door of the Gonpa and suppressing them while chanting mantras. Thereafter, the Lamas recite Tashi Monlam or an auspicious prayer with ritual music, followed by strewing of rice in the air and herald their triumph by giving shouts of joy! All the devotees return to their respective homes. When dusk sets in, they throw away an effigy made of dough of the family members as ransom, called Gu-Klued. After that, they cook a porridge called Gu-Thuk instead of the usual dinner. The porridge is prepared from the pieces of flour dough mixed with meat or kitsuk. It is customary for the mother or daughter-in-law to serve the porridge to each family member.
Ngada Festival is celebrated by the Rengma tribe, originating in Assam and Nagaland. The festival resembles a kind of thanksgiving which is clearly encapsulated in the Rengma culture. It is the belief of the Rengma people that the dead ones return to visit their homes and their families during this festival. It is also during this festival that the people offer respect at the graves of their loved ones. Unified as one, the people work together and celebrate the festival with grandeur and concord. Traditional Rengma ceremonies, dance, singing and feasts ensue during the time span of the festival.People believe in curtailing animosity and vanquishing ill will. And hence, this festival is deemed as the ideal opportunity to initiate peaceful bidding. The Ngada festival is an agricultural oriented celebration. It marks an end to the harvest season of the year. The festival is overseen as a time for the people to rejoice, dance, sing, celebrate, feast and forgive. The celebrations last for seven to eight days, varying from place to place in Nagaland. It is celebrated annually and begins either in the month of November or December. The first day of the festival is spent in the preparation of rice beer at every house hold. On the second day the Rengma Naga people tread into forest to pick and collect banana leaves. The third day is marked by women visiting the graves of the deceased and placing rice beer wrapped in banana leaves. The humble offerings made to the dead souls are considered symbolic. It is also on this consecutive day that they believe the dead visit their homes. The tasting of the rice beer is presided on by the eldest person of the house before the rest. On this day men visit the graves of their dead relatives. Also, they gather outside their morungs (wooden house-like structures) and have a small feast. Later during the day, men strut around village donning their ceremonial and warrior fineries. This day is carried out with the people visiting all houses in the village along with music and folk dance. On the last and the eighth day, a huge feast is organized and the entire village comes together to celebrate. All people venture out to the forest to collect firewood, banana leaves and vegetables for the feast. It is believed that after the grand feast ends, the dead souls return to the land of dead. The festival is concluded with three rites: the first rite consolidates an agreement with fire in order to prevent fire accidents, the second rite amends relations with rats to avoid the destruction of crops, the third rite is marked by the expulsion of evil spirits.
Ngada Festival Photo by Akumjung Pongen 27
