HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, Feb 19: Ali-Aye- Ligang, the traditional Mising seed & fruit –planting& sowing festival that falls on the first Wednesday of the month of Fagun in Hindu calendar, was celebrated in Mising populated areas across the district on Wednesday with warmth and festivities.
The festival of Ali (seeds), Aye (fruits) and Ligang (sowing) was celebrated by the Mising community in Sivasagar town in Kangkan Nagar and in Taxi Mothadang Mising Community Hall. In Desangmukh Aphala, Majorbari, and in Panidihing Chitalia, Katiori and Dolopa Mising goan the festival was inaugurated by elderly people of the villages by performing seed sowing rites in the morning followed by Gumrag dance and festivities.
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In Taxi Mothadung, Rajen Mili, teacher and social activist, in his speech greeted all the people on the occasion of the traditional Ali-Aye-Ligang. He urged the government to declare a holiday on Ali-Aye-Ligang festival in all districts and also as restricted holiday in the Central government offices in Assam as the Mising population is spread across the state, not just in 11 districts.
Our Dibrugarh Correspondent adds: In Dibrugarh Ali-Aye-Ligang was celebrated with traditional fervor at DHSK College in Dibrugarh on Wednesday.
This year, for the first time, the Assam Government declared a full holiday on February 19, across 11 districts—Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Majuli, Charaideo, and Biswanath—to honor the festival.
The event at DHSK College was organised by Mising students in collaboration with the department of Political Science and the Centre for Tribal Development and Research Centre, DHSK College.
Festivities commenced with a traditional ritual led by principal SK Saikia, symbolising the ceremonial sowing of paddy seeds, marking the onset of the agricultural season. Saikia expressed his gratitude and emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting traditional cultures, pledging his support for such noble initiatives.
Lmakholal Doungel, head and associate professor of the department of Political Science, served as the resource person and speaker for the event.
In his insightful address, Doungel highlighted the intrinsic link between cultural identity and traditional customs, urging the youth to actively engage in preserving their heritage.
He highlighted the significance of cultural preservation, urging the youth to actively engage in sustaining their traditions. Doungel remarked, “Identity becomes extinct with the death of customs and cultures; we must live our culture and not let our traditional values and wisdom die with us.”
He stressed that cultural promotion and the showcasing of traditional attire should not be the sole responsibility of women but a collective effort.
The festival’s highlights included traditional singing, dancing, and feasting. The “Gumrag Soman” dance, performed by young members of the community, captivated attendees with its rhythmic movements and vibrant energy.
The event also featured an essay competition on Ali-Aye-Ligang, with prizes awarded by Principal Saikia. The entire programme was coordinated by Nirmali Pegu and Bhaskar Kewed, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all participants.
Ali-Aye-Ligang, translating to “sowing of seeds,” is a significant festival for the Mising community, marking the beginning of the sowing season.
Celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of the Assamese month of Fagun (February-March), the festival embodies the community’s deep-rooted connection to agriculture and nature. Traditional practices during the festival include the ceremonial sowing of paddy, vibrant dances, and communal feasts featuring delicacies like “Purang Apin” (boiled rice wrapped in special leaves) and “Poro Apong” (rice beer).
The festival serves as a testament to the Mising people’s rich cultural heritage and their commitment to preserving age-old traditions.
Our Margherita Correspondent adds: In Margherita, the festival was celebrated on Wednesday with great enthusiasm at Kangkan village lakla jagun.
The Kangkan village lakla is surrounded by Mishing community people. They reside in 11 villages with more than 12,000 individuals. The village is 47 kilometres away from Margherita headquarter.
The celebration saw people engaging themselves in traditional dance and song, with young men and women participating in the festival.
Juga Padun organising committee member stated that Ali Aye Ligang has been the largest traditional and agricultural festival of Mising community residing in Assam.
“Every year on the first Wednesday of Phagun of Assamese calendar we celebrate Ali Aye Ligang with great fervour and harmony,” Padun stated. “The festival was celebrated by our forefathers which in Mising language we called it “Abu Tani” and in the coming days we would try to take “Ali Aye Ligang” to world stage. We appeal to all Mising brothers and sisters of Assam to observe it,” Padun added.
