Ali Ai Ligang Dance of Assam

Ali Ai Ligang Dance of Mishing Community

Many tribal communities call the north-eastern state of Assam their home since time immemorial. Some of them have originated from the Tibeto-Burman ancestry belonging to the Indo Mongoloid family. There are seventeen different tribes residing in the state forming exotic group of ethno-culturally diverse people nowhere present in the entire Indian subcontinent. Some of these distinctive ethnic communities include the Bodos, Mishing, Deoris, Karbi, Rabhas, Nagas and Garos. While Bodos form the majority of tribal population on the state, the Mishings constitute the second largest tribal community in the north-eastern Himalayan state of Assam.

The Mishings are one of the most interesting and vibrant tribes that are known to have migrated from the neighboring states. They are the descendents of Tani tribes found in the upper regions of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Along with these two states, Tani tribes also reside in certain areas of Tibet. The tribe gradually merged into Assamese culture contributing to the versatility of the north-eastern state. The main areas where the Mishings inhabit are Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sonitpur and Sibsagar.

Also known as the ‘Miri’ tribe, a typical Mishing tribe believes in joint family structure where the eldest is considered the most respected member of the family. The community revolves around Patriarchal society where men inherit the property. The peace loving Mishings depend on the agricultural activities and fishing for their livelihood. Harvest seasons serve as a common theme for festivities and the ceremony of ‘sowing seeds’ is known as Ali-Ai-Ligang, one of the most beloved festivals of the Mishings. The festival begins on the first Wednesday of ‘Ginmur Polo’ which falls in the month of February-March according to the Gregorian calendar

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History

The significance of the festival is implied in its name. The word ‘Ali’ denotes to the ‘root’ and the seed where as ‘Ai’ means fruit and the word ‘Ligang’ means sow hence the dance literally means sowing the seeds of harvest. The ali-ai-ligang dance pays tribute to mother earth for her bounty in the form of a productive harvest season. The dance performance of the young men and women paves way for the ritualistic sowing ceremony of this ancient tribal community. Every season during spring-time the festival is held which according to the Mishings is known as the month of ‘Ginmur Polo’ or February-March in Gregorian terms.

Music, Movement & Style

Like every folk dance form, the seasonal performances of Ali-Ai-Ligang dancers celebrate the sowing of new paddy seeds while exercising their own unique rhythm and style. After sowing the seeds of paddy, the dancers dressed in colorful attire starts dancing and celebrating Ali-Ai-Ligang. The dance movements are characterized by fast footsteps, rhythmic swaying and intentional hand and wrist movements. The underlying current of fertility and reproduction play a major role in deciding the movements of this dance. The swinging and tossing hip movements are implications of their passionate gesture and virility. With its ancient rituals and pagan dance movements, the tribal folk dance is symbolic of an ecstatic Dionysian frenzy encouraging procreative urge with mirth and merriment.

A grand feast follows the ritual and dance celebration to top up the enjoyment. The feast serves rice beer, pork and dried fish, a delicacy among the Mishing community. The dance is usually performed by young men and women of Mishing tribe. The celebration also marks a New Year or ‘Anu Ditag’ for the tribal community indulging all kinds of pleasurable activities. During Ali-Ai-Ligang, the Mishing people prevent themselves from cutting trees. The forest and trees are respected and given equal importance like humans. Ali-Ai-Ligang is a significant festival and the dance performance serves as an integral part of the ceremony.