The Mising tribe, Assam’s largest tribal community, celebrated Ali Ai Ligang in Shankarpur, Jorhat, on the first Wednesday of the Fagun month.

About Ali Ai Ligang Festival

• Naming and Meaning: Ali refers to seeds/roots, Ai means fruit, and Ligang means sowing. 
  • It signifies the first sowing of roots and fruits in the agricultural cycle.
• Significance
  • A festival dedicated to agriculture, symbolizing the start of cultivation for the Mising tribe.
  • Farmers seek blessings from Donyi Polo (Sun and Moon deities) for protection against pests and natural calamities.
  • It fosters community bonding and preserves traditional farming customs.
• Traditional Practices
  • Morung Okum (Morung Ghar): A youth dormitory where traditional offerings like Apong (rice beer), dry meat, and fish are made.
  • Gumrag Dance: A ritual dance performed by men and women, signifying joy, prosperity, and unity.
  • Feast and Attire: Traditional delicacies are prepared, and people wear colorful ethnic attire.
• Modern Celebrations and Adaptations
• • Initially a village-based festival, now celebrated in urban centers like Jorhat for Mising people living in cities.
  • Modern celebrations include stage performances and traditional competitions.
  • The festival in Jorhat has been celebrated for 40 years, organized annually by Mising Kabang.

About the Mising Tribe

• Location: Primarily reside in Assam (Upper Assam districts) and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Habitat:Live near rivers like the Brahmaputra; prone to seasonal floods, influencing their stilt house (Chang Ghar) architecture.
• Unique Traditions and Culture: 
  • Follow Donyi Poloism, worshipping the Sun and Moon as supreme deities.
  • Maintain age-old agrarian traditions, with festivals like Ali Ai Ligang reflecting their deep connection with nature..
• Occupation and Livelihood: 
  • Primarily farmers, cultivating paddy, mustard, and vegetables.
  • Fishing and weaving are significant aspects of their economy.
  • The women are skilled in making hand woven Mising textiles.