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About Ningol Chakouba

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About Ningol Chakouba

Ningol Chakouba is a much loved family festival of Manipur. In Manipuri, ningol means a married daughter or sister, and chakouba means to invite for a meal. On this day, brothers invite their married sisters back to the family home for a grand feast.

It falls on the second day of the new moon of Hiyangei, in October or November. A few days before, brothers visit their sisters to give the invitation. On the day, sisters arrive with fruit and sweets, and the whole house fills with laughter.

The feast is the heart of the day: rice with many fish dishes, eromba, singju, local vegetables and kheer made with black rice. After the meal, brothers give their sisters gifts, clothes or money, and the sisters bless the family.

It began as a Meitei custom and is now kept by many communities in Manipur. It is a day for the bond between brothers and sisters and for the joy of the family home.

How people celebrate Ningol Chakouba

  • Brothers inviting married sisters home
  • A grand family feast with fish dishes
  • Black rice kheer, eromba and singju
  • Gifts and money for sisters
  • Sisters blessing the family

How to wish well

  • Wish sisters, brothers and the whole family on the morning of the day.
  • Messages about coming home, the feast and the bond of brother and sister fit best.
  • If you are far away, a call and a small gift for your sister keep the spirit of the day.

Questions about Ningol Chakouba

When is Ningol Chakouba?

On the second day of the new moon of Hiyangei, in October or November. The date for each year is shown on this page.

What does Ningol Chakouba mean?

Ningol means a married daughter or sister and chakouba means to invite for a meal. It is the day brothers invite their married sisters home for a feast.

What food is made for Ningol Chakouba?

A big feast with rice and many fish dishes, eromba, singju, seasonal vegetables and black rice kheer.

Is Ningol Chakouba like Bhai Dooj?

It falls on the same day as Bhai Dooj and also honours brothers and sisters, but its own custom is the homecoming feast for married daughters.

Is Ningol Chakouba a holiday in Manipur?

Yes, it is a public holiday in Manipur.

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