NORTH LAKHIMPUR, Feb 17 � The festival celebrating the commencement of the agrarian season of the Mishing community, Ali Aye Liganag was held today in North Lakhimpur with traditional fervor, pomp and ceremony.
The two-day programme was celebrated with the auspices of 37th central Ali Aye Lriganag festival in the playground of North Lakhimpur Govt. HS School.
The Mishing community of Assam has been celebrating this festival on the first Wednesday of the month of Phagun by sowing sacred seeds in the name of deities like Donyi Polo, Karshing Kartan, Se: Di-Me:Lo and Rugzi-Me:Rang.
The festivities began yesterday with cleansing rituals and hoisting of the flag by Bholanath Doley, president of the organizing committee. This was followed by tribute paying ceremony led by Harendranath Doley, the executive president of the organizing committee. A drawing competition for children was also held on the occasion which was inaugurated by Parnita Taid, Vice-Chairperson, ZPC-Lakhimpur.
Today�s programme began with the taking out of a colourful cultural procession throught the main roads of North Lakhimpur town. The procession was inaugurated by Dr JC Doley, Joint Director, Health, Lakhimpur and it was led by Dr. Jyanendra Kardang and film stars Geetabali Rajkumari and Shyamantika.
Cultural troups of various ethnic groups, including from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh apart from the vibrant Mishing community, took part in the procession. Tableaux showcasing various traditional lives of Mishing community and their folklore were also taken out in the procession.
A souvenir was released by noted short story writer Nivedita Lagachu. A traditional fashion show was also organized in that prgramme which was inaugurated by Geeta Ayengiya Pamegam in the evening. A cultural nit was also organized in the vening to mark the occasion.
Our Staff Reporter add: The Mising community on Wednesday celebrated with traditional fanfare the Ali-Aye-Ligang festival heralding another cultivation season. The first seed of the agricultural season was sowed by invoking the gods to bless the earth with another bounteous season.
This festival which is an ode to the fertility of the land was observed with ritualistic fervour by the Mising community of the capital city. The Sadou Guwahati Mising Kaubang celebrated the festival at Murong Latta, Japorigog here.
The day-long festivities began with a cleaning drive followed by flag hoisting and invocation to the gods by offering the home made rice beer or Apong.
It seemed all the hues of the Fagun had been sprinkled over everyone. Intricate designs in red, yellow and green over the traditional dresses of the community reflected the spirit of the season. Colour and gaiety marked the occasion with members of the community, young and old alike dressed in their traditional colourful outfits participating in impromptu dancing and singing outbursts.
