NPSC RESULT                       

HEGA

    On the first day, animals are killed for the festival and those who do not own animals  either buy or share with other members.    On the second day, the gatekeeper of the main gate will have a special and separate prayer invoking the protection of the Almighty to the villagers and to  shower  his blessings for the year to come. After the prayer, he goes to the jungle and offers a special prayer asking God to show him the right tree for the  sacrifice. When it is shown to him, the youth will cut  the tree and carve it into the shape of a   Hornbill and put it up in the main  Gate with decoration. In the evening, the elders and the boys will make  noise going  up and down the whole village for two  or three  times and at the end, they  will try to  pierce the heart of the wooden hornbill. If they strike the  target then it is  goodluck. After this, all  the  male members will gather in their own Morung to offer special prayer for good luck in hunting.

    On the third day, early in the   morning, the  bride  will gather all the girls from her khel and go to the jungle to collect firewood. In the meantime, the elders and youth from the khel will go to the jungle and cut a tree which is shaped, cut into two and coloured, signifying the purity and virginity of the bride. In the evening, the bride will carry the two wooden pieces which signifies her life. The firewood and the wooden pieces are kept in the main gate or the last gate of the village. With these two heavy wooden pieces the bride along with the rest of the boys and girls carrying the firewood proceeds to the girl's morung where they are treated to  feast by the bridegroom. On the fourth day, sports like long jump and wrestling are played  in the evening. At night, the bride visits each househols encouraging men, boys and girls to take part in the dance and for the elders she prepares special soup from meat and give them for their health and strength to participate in the dance.

     On the last day, people adorn themselves with traditional fineries and prepare for the dance. For the bride, it is the last dance in her life because a married girl cannot join the dance again. After the dance, all the dancers go round the village singing and dancing together with the bride and bridegroom.

CHEGA GADI

   Chega Gadi is another popular festival of the Zeliang tribe. It is believed that on this day the Almighty showers blessings and good harvest and health. This festival is celebrated in the month of October. The people wait anxiously to see the first new moon and as soon as it is sighted, the Priest of the village (Singkupiu) makes an announcement and people begin necessary preparation for the festival. Once the festival commences, the menfolk and womenfolk are separated and the womenfolk are prohibited from even touching the fire, cups and plates used in the festival by the menfolk. At sunset, all the menfolk along with two High Priests will go outside the main gate of the village for making new fire to be used for the Festival and they are then blessed, after which they shout, signifying that they have been sanctified.On the third day, two males who had observed fasting, will go to the jungle and collect wood which is then carved like a man and tattooed. This wooden statue is installed at the gate of the village and then spearing of the wooden statue takes place.

    After that, all the menfolk gather at the main ground of the village and various competitions like long jump, wrestling, cock fight, etc. are held. Later, the High Priest would declare the completion of all the arrangements and lift all prohibitions imposed earlier. The villagers then, irrespective of men and women are now free from all bindings and they start feasting and merrymaking till the end of the Festival.