Silapathar March 9 � The Porag festival and 32nd Silapathar Kendriya Ali-Aye Ligang festival got under way at Silapathar DoNyi-polo cultural complex here today. The Porag festival, merry-making festival of Misings began in the Murong Okum after the programme of Gumrag, Oi-nitom, Kaban, and Dhol badan of Ali-Aye-Ligang celebration. Porag, post harvest festival is celebrated every two, three, four or five years after a good harvest and plenty of eating, drinking, singing, dancing take place in the celebrations.
The Porag festival is the grand festival of re-union. Entertainment is open for all. The three-day-long Porag celebration, starting today include 13 villages of Silapathar area like Malinipur Mising, No. 1 Silapathar Mising, Silapathar Natun Mising, Kangkan Dolung, Sila Pipalguri, Sila Barghuli, Luhitpur, Ligang Dolung, No. 2 Silapathar Mising, Ruwad Dolung, Lisang Society, Karpumpuli, Kulamua. Gali Mechaki Dolung and Dhemaji Sankit Ope have been invited as minoms (guests) of the Porag festival.
The Mibu, medicine man of the festival conducts the solemn occasion of prayer. The celebration committee has constituted portfolios with definite designations for organizing the festival smoothly. The designations have been divided among Migom Kumir (the head man of the festival), Miyum Kuri (the head women of the festival), Yamki Kumir (the head of the young man), Mime Kuri (the responsible persons for young women), Lutadne (collector of subscription, informer), Bokung (messenger of man), Yumrim (messenger of women) etc. The Mibu Dagnam programme will take place on the night of second day for well being of village communities, good crops every year and to live in the midst of plenty. The Porag festival is not celebrated on a regular basis. The community needs more than a year to prepare itself for it since it is very expensive.
