HT Bureau
DIPHU, Jan 31: Diphu in Karbi Anglong, observed the festival of the Ahom people, Me-Dam-Me-Phi, with a day-long programme from 11 am on Friday. The event was hosted by the general secretary of the Tai Ahom Cultural Society, Karbi District Committee, Chao Bikram Handique.
After the flag hoisting, the devotees offered prayers. Afterwards, the Malungs invited by the organisers from Patsakor performed the WanPhi Puja. Wan-Phi Puja has been performed to appease Khao Kham, Aileng Din, Jan Sai Hung, Landon Mut Kum, Taikum, Chitlam Cham, Jachingpha, Dam (god of death) and Ra Khin Bakhin (evil god).
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The old and young of the Ahom community attended the event wearing traditional dresses in silk.
Our Margherita Correspondent adds: The 43rd Me-Dam-Me –Phi festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Margherita by the Ahom community on Friday.
On the first day of the festival, various competitions were held with traditional games such as egg fights, painting, essay writing, tug-of-war for women, musical chairs, pot breaking, spoon-and-marble race, and thread-beading race.
Additionally, a state-level quiz competition, Ai Ching Lao performance, Tai script writing competition, contemporary speech competition, Lai Lung Kham, and Rak Chang Mai competitions were held.
A representative meeting took place, followed by the traditional Banfi Puja.
On the second day, friday the programme began with the Fhuralung Puja, where attendees paid homage to their ancestors.
Then a flag-hoisting ceremony of 43 Bin-Khring-Fa flags were unfurled, Mintu Deodhai Phukan as the chief flag hoister.
This was followed by the Me-Dam Tarpan ceremony, led by chief tarpan performer Utpal Konwar, along with 38 distinguished personalities.
A national integrity oath-taking ceremony was also conducted, led by Gun Duori.
After that a colorful cultural procession featuring traditional Tai ethnic groups and other communities was took out from Chao Cheng Ron Samannay Khetra to Margherita chariali where more than 10,000 people irrespective of caste, creed, race, language and religion attended.
The cultural procession was inaugurated by popular actor of Assam Nayan Nilim.
The community feast was inaugurated by young entrepreneur of Margherita Pranjit Chetia.
Subsequently, an open session, felicitation ceremony and prize distribution programme were held which was presided by Mintu Deodhai Phukan where as part of the celebration, a souvenir book titled “Ngi Ring Kham”, edited by Pabitra Borgohain, was released by renowned litterateur of Margherita Ranjit Dutta, many distinguished and resource persons such as veteran journalist of Margherita Jagat Changmai, Bir Raghav, Moran Government college principal Amarjit Saikia, popular actor of Assam Nayan Nilim, All Assam Sema Naga Council president Kahoto Sema, Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee general secretary Pallab Shyam Wailung, Tai Ahom Development Council member Nabojit Baruah, All Assam Bhoomi Lakhya Karmachari Sanmeloni president Nitul Gogoi, among others were present.
Jibeshwar Mohan, former president of Purvanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha Tai and retired principal of Tingkhong College attended as a keynote speaker at the open session.
During the event, Pranob Gogoi, former president of the Purvanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha was honored with the “Gnyati Mohiyan Award 2025” for his lifelong contributions to the development of the Tai Ahom community.
Apart from his career as a teacher, retired principal of Margherita college he has held significant roles such as president of the Purvanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha, president of the Margherita Sub division Me-Dam-Me-Phi Celebration Committee and president of the Margherita Chao Cheng Ren Construction Committee as his exceptional leadership has greatly contributed to the preservation and advancement of Tai Ahom heritage and Assamese culture.
Additionally, 50 distinguished individuals and Mulungs who contributed to the development of Tai Ahom religion, culture, and language were also felicitated.
During the evening hours a cultural programme was conducted, with prominent folk artist of Assam Lohit Gogoi as the chief guest where a lamp-lighting ceremony took place led by veteran Malung Konak Hatibaruah. The event concluded with a traditional Tai ethnic attire competition.
This two-day grand festival played a significant role in preserving the rich traditions of the Tai Ahom community.
The enthusiastic participation of local residents, cultural enthusiasts, and dignitaries added to the glory of the festival, as the Me-Dam-Me-Phi celebration concluded, a sense of unity and pride resonated among all attendees, reflecting the success of this historic event said Rana Jyoti Neog general secretary of the reception committee.
