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Ningol Chakouba
November 3, 2024 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
“Ningol Chakouba” is a traditional festival celebrated in Manipur, a state in northeastern India, predominantly by the Meitei community. The festival holds great cultural and social significance and is dedicated to strengthening familial bonds, particularly between married women (ningol) and their parental families.
The term “Ningol” refers to married women, while “Chakouba” means an invitation for a meal. Therefore, Ningol Chakouba essentially translates to “the invitation of married daughters for a meal.”
During Ningol Chakouba, married women return to their parental homes along with their husbands and children to celebrate the festival with their natal families. It is a joyous occasion marked by elaborate feasts, cultural rituals, and exchange of gifts.
The festival typically falls on the second day of the lunar month of Hiyangei (October-November), shortly after the Hindu festival of Diwali. Families begin preparations well in advance, cleaning and decorating their homes and making arrangements for the festive feast.
On the day of Ningol Chakouba, the married daughters are welcomed with great warmth and affection by their parents and siblings. Traditional rituals are performed, including offering prayers for the well-being and prosperity of the family and seeking blessings from elders.
A highlight of Ningol Chakouba is the grand feast prepared by the family, featuring a variety of traditional Manipuri delicacies and dishes. The meal is enjoyed together by all family members, fostering a sense of unity, love, and togetherness.
In addition to the feasting and rituals, Ningol Chakouba is also a time for gift-giving. Parents typically offer gifts to their daughters and grandchildren as tokens of love and appreciation. These gifts may include clothing, jewelry, household items, or monetary presents.
Ningol Chakouba is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of family bonds, cultural heritage, and the enduring ties between generations. It reinforces the importance of maintaining close relationships with one’s natal family even after marriage and highlights the values of love, respect, and unity within the Meitei community.