Ali-A:ye-Ligang celebrated across Lakhimpur, Demow by Mising community

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LAKHIMPUR: Mising community, the second largest ethnic tribe of the State, celebrated Ali-A:ye-Ligang on Wednesday across Lakhimpur district with due festivities by organizing colourful programmes.

Notably, Ali-A:ye-Ligang is a spring festival of the Mising community associated with agriculture, specially with the beginning of the Ahu paddy cultivation. The festival marks onset of sowing seeds. The name of the festival is made up of three terms-- 'Ali', legumes, 'Aye', seed and 'Ligang' to sow. The festival begins on 'Ligange lange', the first Wednesday of 'Gimur Polo', which occurs in February in the Gregorian calendar on the first Wednesday of the month of Fagun of the Assamese calendar and it lasts for five to seven days. In this festival, the people of the community participate in 'Gumraag Soman' and dance to the tune of folk songs and melodious 'Oi: Nitom'. The first day of the festival is marked by the ceremonial start of paddy sowing and throughout the festival many other activities such as ploughing and tree cutting are forbidden. The last day of the festival called as 'Lilen', which is observed with a grand community feast. During this festival, Misings indulge in great banquet with Poro Apong or Nogin Apong (homemade rice wine) with various dishes, especially made with pork meat. 'Purang Apin' (packed boiled rice) is cooked in water with special leaves.

The festival was celebrated in a befitting manner by Donyi Polo Yuva Sangha at Amtola Dambukiyal village under North Lakhimpur subdivision of the district. The agenda of the event kick-started with "Poro: Apong Kadgod" by Lito Payeng and Purna Kanta Taid at 7:30am. It was followed by traditional 'Amoli Pidgod' programme, which was administered by Migang Jogyeswar Payeng and Lolit Payeng. 'Murom Okum' was inaugurated by Jogen Sinte in association with 'Dekabora' and 'Tinibora'. Then 'Namghar Sewa darshan' programme was conducted. It was followed by competition events on Gomrag So:man and Gomrag in groups, which commenced from 9:30 am.

The open session of the event commenced from 11:00 am. In this programme, souvenir of the Ali-A:ye-Ligang festival of this year, titled as 'Otosoor', edited by Sushanta Sinte and Mintu Padun, was released by Mahendra Taid, the retired meteorologist of The Meteorology Centre, Shillong. Former assistant secretary of Axam Xahitya Xabha-cum-retired principal of ADK HS School, Niran Kumar Borah graced the occasion as appointed speaker. Artiste pensioner Robin Doley, poets Jiten Payeng, Megharam Payeng, principal Bholanath Das, teachers Pradip Cheleng, Sanjib Borah, retired teacher Bilas Payeng delivered lecture as invited guests. In the same programme, Donyi Polo Yuva Sangha accorded special felicitations to Niran Kumar Borah, Mahendra Taid, first graduate of the village Rupeswar Payeng, retired teacher Bilas Payeng for their lifetime service to the society.

On the other hand, the festival was celebrated at Rowad Nagar in Dhakuakhana subdivision. In the festive event, traditional 'lid-god' was conducted by social worker Manoj Doley. Mising Autonomous Council former vice-chairman Hemeswar Pegu, former Zila Parishad member Poroma Chungkrang were among those who were present in the programme.

St. Thomas School of the subdivision also celebrated the event by holding cultural programmes in order to impart knowledge to the students about the festival. In the event, the students showcased Gomrag So:man in addition to performing Oini:tom. The people of Medhisuti, Bharatsuk, Major Chapori, Obhota Oyengiya, Mohghuli Chapori, Bhoma Lagasu and many other villages under Dhakuakhana subdivision celebrated the community festival with fun and festivities.

DEMOW: Ali-Aye-Ligang, the spring festival of the Mising community, was celebrated in the Demow Mising area on Wednesday. The women wore traditional dresses and performed Mising dance on the occasion. Traditional food items of the Mising community were made.

Also Read:  Ali-Aye-Leegang: An ethnic culture of Misings

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