Ningol Chakouba 2025: Celebrating in Manipur

Ningol Chakouba, a culturally rich and emotionally vibrant festival from Manipur, celebrates the strong familial bond between married women (Ningols) and their brothers and paternal families. Observed annually on the second day of the Hiyangei month of the Meitei lunar calendar, this festival brings together families to honour relationships and revive traditions. In 2025, Ningol Chakouba is being celebrated with great fervour, as women dressed in traditional attire return to their paternal homes with offerings, engaging in joyful reunions and hearty feasts.

Cultural Significance and Meaning

The name Ningol Chakouba translates to,

• Ningol: Married daughters or women
• Chakouba: Feasting together

Rooted in Manipuri customs, this festival underscores the importance of familial ties, particularly the brother-sister bond after marriage. It reflects the continued love and inclusion of daughters in their natal homes even after they have started their own families.

This tradition strengthens emotional connections and promotes gender-inclusive social customs, reminding society of the enduring value of daughters.

Rituals and Celebrations

• On the day of Ningol Chakouba, married women visit their paternal homes dressed in elegant traditional Manipuri attire, often accompanied by their children.
• They bring with them fruits, vegetables, sweets, and other delicacies as tokens of love and gratitude.
• These items are shared with family members before sitting down for a grand meal, which becomes the heart of the celebration.
• A key highlight of this feast is the fish curry, an essential and symbolic dish of the day.
• Following the meal, brothers present gifts to their sisters as a gesture of love, appreciation, and well-being.
• This exchange not only celebrates the bond but also reaffirms the daughter’s role in the family unit.

Annual Fish Fair and Festival Preparation

• In preparation for the festival, the Annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition is organized by the Department of Fisheries, Manipur.
• In 2025, this event was held at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal, a day prior to the main celebration.
• The fair aims to provide a variety of fish to the public at affordable prices, ensuring that the traditional dish of fish curry remains accessible to all households.
• It also showcases local fish farmers and their produce, adding an economic and agricultural dimension to the celebration.