Ali-ai-Ligang Festival is one of the major springtime festivals of Assam. The land of Assam celebrates a number of popular springtime festivals among which Ali-ai-Ligang Festival is most popularly celebrated by the people of Mishing Tribe. These are associated with the cultivation or harvesting period which are celebrated to spread the flavor of brotherhood and harmony.
Ali-ai-Ligang Festival is the most vibrant festival of the Mishing tribal people. The name Ali-ai-Ligang is divided into three parts, namely, `Ali-ai-Ligang` in which "Ali" means root and seed, "ai" means fruit and "Ligang" means sow. The sowing of the paddy seeds begin from this day which is celebrated as the new season begins. The Ali-ai-Ligang festival starts on `Ligange lange`, the first Wednesday of `Gimur Polo`, which happens in February in the Gregorian calendar or on Wednesday of the month of Fagun of Assamese calendar and in the month of February in English calendar which lasts for five days.
Celebration of Ali-ai-Ligang Festival
Once the ceremonial sowing of the paddy seeds is started, a dance is performed by the young boys and girls of the tribe. In Assam, this popular dance performed by the young people is characterized by rapid stepping, flinging and fluttering of hands. The dance steps also demands swinging of hips reflecting the procreative urge along with enjoyment.
During this Festival of Assam, after the sowing ceremony and the traditional dance function, a grand feast is organized. `Poro Aapong` or rice beer, dried fish and Pork are some of the essential food items which are served. Certain taboos are purely observed with respect to cutting trees, ploughing, fishing, burning jungles and many more during the festival. Ali-ai-Ligang Festival is often celebrated during the spring season. This festival stretches up to 5 days continuously.
Thus one may visit Assam during this festival which is celebrated with lot of excitement. This is one of the most colorful festivals of Assam that often attract the visitors.
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