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The first day is meant for the
preparation of rice-beer by
every household. Banana leaves
are collected from the forest on
the second day, for the Ngadah
feast.
On the third day, the womenfolk
visit the graves of their
relatives and place rice – beer
wrapped in banana leaves, on the
graves. This is a symbolic
presentation of offering to the
dead spirit. It was believed
that the souls of the dead visit
their near and dear ones once
during Ngadah festival.
Therefore , the festival is
observed in remembrance of the
departed souls , besides
cleaning and repairing the
graves. This is the day the rice
– beer prepared for the festival
is tasted by the eldest member
of the house , which is followed
by the others drinking from it.
On the fourth day , all male
members gather together at their
respective Khel Morungs known as
“ RENSI”, early in the morning,
with their own rice – beer and
meat and have the meat there. It
is taboo for womenfolk to take
part in the Morung feast. At mid
– day, all male members in their
ceremonial and warrior fineries,
go round the village, followed
by women with rice – beer in
their mugs and bitter gourd
containers, to offer them
drinks.
The fifth day again witnesses
all the male members going in
procession, visiting all the
houses, singing songs relating
to ‘NGADAH’ festival. Each
household has to give something
as a token of their
appreciation, when the
procession visits them.
On the sixth day, all the
members of the village visit the
house of one another
irrespective of Khel or clan,
eat and drink with one and all
in every house without any
restriction or hesitation.
On the seventh day, everybody
goes to forest for collection of
firewood, banana leaves and
vegetables for the feast. A
grand feast is arranged on the
8th day, where the whole village
population feast on whatever was
collected on the fifth day's
procession. After this feast, it
is believed that the soul of
those who died that every year,
leave the village and go to the
land of the dead. On this day
three rites are performed. One
is the peace agreement with
fire in order to avoid fire
accident in the village. The
second arrangement is made with
rats, so that they do not
destroy crops or household
goods. The third rites is
performed to expel evil spirits
from all household and the
village. This and the 8th long
day celebration of The “NGADAH”
festival of the Rengmas. |