Ali-Ai-Ligang Festival - Celebrating the Harvest Season of the Mishing Tribe in Assam

The Mishing tribe is one of the indigenous communities of Assam, known for their rich culture and traditions. Among their many festivals, the Ali-Ai-Ligang festival is one of the most important and popular celebrations, marking the beginning of the harvest season in the region.

Ali-Ai-Ligang is celebrated in the month of February, during the time of the spring equinox, and continues for five days. The festival is a time for the Mishing community to come together, offer thanks to the Gods, and pray for a good harvest. The festival also provides an opportunity to showcase their unique traditions and customs to the rest of the world.

The festival begins with the hoisting of the 'Gumin' - a bamboo pole adorned with colorful flags, symbolizing the beginning of the new year and the onset of the agricultural season. The Mishing people offer prayers to their ancestors and the Gods for a good harvest, and perform traditional dances and music to celebrate the occasion.

During the festival, there are also many traditional sports and games organized, such as tug-of-war, archery, and wrestling. The Mishing people also prepare and share traditional dishes made from freshly harvested crops, such as rice beer, pitha (a type of rice cake), and fish dishes.

What makes the Ali-Ai-Ligang festival unique is the fact that it is a community-driven festival, where everyone comes together to participate and celebrate. The festival is also an important platform for the Mishing community to showcase their traditional music, dance, and crafts, such as weaving and pottery.

The Ali-Ai-Ligang festival is not just a celebration of the harvest season; it is also an important reminder of the cultural heritage and traditions of the Mishing community. The festival helps to keep their customs alive and preserve their unique way of life for future generations.

Ali Ai Ligang Festival, also known as Ali-Aye-Ligang, is celebrated in Assam, India. Most of the family festivals celebrated in Assam are those related to agriculture or harvesting. Ali Ai Ligang Festival in Assam is a spring festival celebrated by the Mishing tribe. It mainly started with the cultivation of Ahu. The name of the festival consists of three words: Ali, Ai and Ligang. Let's learn more about the account below. Assam is the land of fairs and festivals, many of which are celebrated in the spirit of brotherhood and harmony. 

ALI AI LIGANG FESTIVAL HISTORY

Ali ai Ligang festival is the most important Mishing festival. The name Ali Ai Ligang is very clear. 'Ali' means root and seed, 'ai' means seed and 'Ligang' means bread. Therefore the beginning of the sown seed came into being on this day.  

DURATION OF ALI AI LIGANG EVENTS

Ali ai Ligang event in Assam is held every year on 'Gimur Polo' or the first Wednesday of February (Gregorian calendar). According to the Assamese calendar, it takes place on the first Wednesday of the month of Fagun. Therefore, the Ali ai Ligang festival in Assam is celebrated for five consecutive days. 

ACTIVITIES  

People carry out rice planting as a ritual. However, activities such as agriculture, forest fires, logging and fishing are prohibited.
 

THE DANCE - MOVEMENT AND STYLE

After rice planting, the festival is celebrated with Gumraag Soman, a family dance performed by the young men of the village. They insist on 'Oi:nitom' and folk songs. Quick steps, waving and strumming instruments created a festive atmosphere. The rules of the dance also require a swaying of the hips that indicates local desire, procreation, and pleasure. The dance honors the grace of mother earth.

The dance, which goes around the courtyard and starts in the house in the east of the village, continues to the field and from there to the river. 

SONGS AND MUSIC

Everyone, regardless of age, loves holiday songs and music. The themes of the songs are diverse, including a man's life, the pain of his life, and ultimately his death. Love, romance, happiness and sadness are other themes of the song. In short, the songs reflect Misings' daily experiences. The music of these songs and dance rhythms consists of instruments such as cymbals, gungang (gagana), sifung (flute), gong and drums.

THE FESTIVE FEST

Festival foods are very important, including foods like 'Poro Aapong' or rice wine, dried fish and pork. Misings prepares 'Purang Apin' (packaged boiled rice) specially for the festival.

Lilen is the last day of the festival, which is celebrated with large social events. Many dishes, especially those prepared with pork, are flavored with homemade rice wine (Nogin Apong or Poro Apong). 'Purang Apin' (packaged boiled rice) cooked with special leaves is a special treat. This dish is prepared just for this festival.

COSTUMES OF ALI AI LIGANG DANCE

The men and women wear traditional costumes. The traditional dress of man of this tribe is "Gonro ugon" (Dhuti), "Mibu galuk" (shirt), "Dumer (Gamucha) etc. And the women wear long sarees or skirt kind of stuff and seem colourful and beautiful in their whole attire.

In conclusion, the Ali-Ai-Ligang festival is a unique celebration of the Mishing tribe's culture and traditions. It is a time for the community to come together and offer thanks for the harvest season, as well as to showcase their traditional music, dance, and crafts. If you ever have the opportunity to attend the festival, you will be able to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Mishing people and witness their vibrant way of life.