Ali Aye Ligang is a very important festival celebrated by the Mishing community of Assam. Primarily an agricultural community, this festival is associated with traditional farming.
It is said the festival marks the beginning of the paddy sowing. Paddy or rice being the primary food of the Mishing community who basically dependent on agriculture.
The name of the festival is made up of three terms, ‘Ali’, legumes, ‘Aye’, seed and ‘Ligang’, to sow.
During the celebration of the festival, a small area of land is ploughed with spade and then seeds are sowed from a basket by the member of the community. This is the ceremonious start of the sowing of paddy orrice.
As a mark to honor and devotion, people offer fish and eggs to the God.
Members of the community dance and sing and also feast as a part of the celebration. The Gumrag dance is also performed during the occasion of Ligang.
Both the men and women from the community don their traditional hand woven attire. Cultural programmes are also organized across the state to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
(Picture coustesy: Mridula DK Taye)
