Moradabad, feb 21 (ANI): The ethnic group of Mishing in India's northeastern province
of Assam celebrated a seed sowing festival in which devotees prayed to God
Donyi-Polo (the god of Sun-Moon) for a great harvest. Called 'Ali Ai Ligang', it is a
spring festival associated with agriculture. A participant said the festival marks the
ceremonial start of the paddy sowing. The Mishing community in Assam and
northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh pray to God Donyi-Polo for the development.
During the festival celebrations, a small area of land is marked to resemble a
cultivation field. The land is ploughed with spade and then seeds are sowed from a
basket by the member of the community. People dance, sing, and feast during the
celebrations, and as a mark of honour people offer fish and eggs to the god. The
famous traditional 'Gumrag' dance is also performed during the auspicious occasion by
people of all ages within the community. However, people within the community opined
that 'Ali Ai Ligang' is slowly disappearing from their society due to impact of
westernization. Being the largest tribal group found in the northeastern provinces of
India, members of Mishing community reside in the districts of Dhemaji, North
Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh,
