The Murong Okum grounds in Dibrugarh’s Milan Nagar came alive with vibrant colours and rhythmic beats on Wednesday as the Mising community gathered to celebrate Ali-Aye-Ligang, the festival marking the onset of the spring sowing season.
Organised jointly by the Dibrugarh Town Mising Kebang and the Dibrugarh Mising Mahila Samiti, the celebration transformed the venue into a spectacular display of cultural heritage, with community members of all ages participating in the festivities.
Young performers, dressed in traditional attire adorned with intricate designs, took centre stage as they presented the ceremonial “Gumraag Soman” dance. Moving gracefully to the rhythm of folk songs and the melodious strains of “Oinitom”, the dancers captivated the audience, their performances serving as a vibrant link between the community’s ancestral past and its contemporary identity.
The festival holds significance in the Mising calendar, coinciding with the commencement of Ahu paddy cultivation. Ali-Aye-Ligang literally translates to the beginning of sowing seeds, reflecting the deep connection between the community’s cultural practices and agricultural traditions.
Speaking at the event, Dibrugarh Town Mising Kebang president Mahendra Pegu highlighted the festival’s broader meaning.
“This celebration goes beyond mere festivity. It represents our collective identity and our enduring relationship with the land. Through these rituals, we acknowledge nature’s role in sustaining us and renew our commitment to environmental harmony… ,” Pegu said.
The Mising community, one of the prominent tribal groups in Assam and other northeastern states, has preserved this agricultural festival through generations, maintaining its relevance in changing times.
Jyotsna Pegu, a member of the Dibrugarh Mising Mahila Samiti, said, “Every element of Ali-Aye-Ligang carries ancestral wisdom. Our dance movements mirror agricultural practices and our songs contain instructions passed down through generations about sustainable farming. This festival ensures our young people understand not just the steps of a dance, but the philosophy of living respectfully with nature that our forefathers cherished. ”
The event witnessed participation from community members, particularly the youth, who showcased their cultural pride through various performances throughout the day.
