Dhemaji gears up to celebrate Ali Aye Ligang- the main agriculture festival of the Mising tribe at Bijoypur village (Jonai) in Dhemaji district.
The festival to be celebrated under the joint aegis of the State’s Directorate of Culture with the help of district administration on February 20
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Hectic preparations are on for the festival.
This is the first event of Mising festival celebrated under Assam government auspices.
The organizers have invited the state’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Cultural affairs Minister Naba Doley, Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah and others to grace the occasion.
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Dhemaji district administration by an order declared February 20 (Wednesday) as ‘local holiday’ under N.I Act 1881 and ordered that all government, non-government offices, educational institutions (except ongoing examinations), business establishments such as shops, banks, tea gardens and industries would remain closed for the day.
The order was made in pursuance of Assam government notification No. GAG (81)/ 2016/Pt/1/220 dated 19th December, 2018 in the interest of public services.
The festival ground near Jonekarong railway station at 10 km west from Murksongselek (Jonai) is wearing a festive look with decorated pandals and lighting arrangements. The organizers have constituted separate sub-committees for smooth conduct of the activities during the festive occasion. As such, separate stalls for traditional food mela and exhibition are constructed at the festival venue.
Ali Aye Ligang (Sowing of Ahu seeds) festival usually starts on first Wednesday of Phagun (February-March) as per Assamese calendar.
The inaugural day programme includes rituals like sowing of seeds of Ahu paddy with due traditional fervour and prayer to the Almighty for bumper harvest of the crops and well being of the domestic beasts, which is followed by ‘Gumrag’ dance and community feast.
The Mising youths after performing the gumrag dance, sit on the models of the Chang Ghar called ‘Murong-Ukum’ and take ‘Purang Apin (boiled rice packed by torapaat leaf) with dry fish and Apong (rice beer).
Mising oi-nitom (folk song) sung by the youths and lotta soman (group dance) is a common cultural practice during the week-long Ali Aye Ligang celebration.