The festival of spring which marks the onset of sowing of seeds was celebrated with pomp and gaiety for the first time in Majuli district of Assam this year.
Celebrated by the Mishing, an indigenous tribe of the state— the festival was celebrated with traditional zeal and fervour on the first Wednesday of the month of Fagun of the Assamese calendar. To mark the celebrations different communities of the district actively took part in the event.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal took to Twitter to greet the Mishing people for the festivities.
Donning traditional attires of the Mishing community the youth performed to the popular dance known as ‘Gumrag’. The women folks were seen preparing traditional food for a community feast.
Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta who was also present in the event said that traditional festivals are observed to preserve the rich culture and tradition of the communities and also to live in communal harmony.
Ali-Aye-Ligang, which is associated with agriculture, is marked by the ceremonial start of paddy sowing and throughout the festival, many activities such as ploughing and tree cutting are forbidden.
The last day of the festival called ‘Lilen’ is observed with a grand community feast. During this festival, Mishings indulge in a great banquet with Poro Apong or Nogin Apong (homemade Rice wine) with various dishes, especially made with pork meat.
Photo: Kalpajit Saikia
