Feb12,2024
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Ali Aye Ligang is a vibrant festival that marks the beginning of the sowing season, celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Mising community, the second-largest tribe in Assam, India.
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The festival's name, Ali Aye Ligang, is derived from three terms: 'Ali' meaning seeds or root, 'Aye' signifying fruit, and 'Ligang' referring to the act of sowing. This festival symbolizes the first sowing of roots and fruits, heralding a period of agricultural bounty.
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The festival commences on the first Wednesday of the Assamese month of Phagun, aligning with February in the Gregorian calendar.
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One of the most distinctive features of Ali Aye Ligang is the traditional dance known as 'Gumrag.
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The music accompanying the festival is rich and varied, reflecting the daily experiences and emotions of the Misings. Instruments like the dhul, taal, gong, and gungang (gagana) provide the rhythmic backdrop for songs
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As the festival progresses, the Misings indulge in a grand community feast called 'Lilen,' which features Poro Apong or Nogin Apong (homemade rice wine)
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A special dish prepared during this time is 'Purang Apin,' packed boiled rice cooked in water with special leaves, signifying the unique culinary traditions of the Mising people.
Credit: Google