Ali-Ai-Ligang in Assam is celebrated by the Mishing Tribe during spring. Ali-Ai-Ligang, the most significant and awaited of tribal fairs and festivals in Assam is organized annually in February or March. The day coincides with the first Wednesday or Ligange lange of the Ginmur Polo month in the calendar of the tribe.

This festival of Assam in India derives its name from three words Ali meaning root or seed, Ai meaning fruit and Ligang meaning sow. This festival symbolizes the day paddy seeds are ritualistically sown.

Features of Ali-Ai-Ligang in Assam

• The festival is celebrated through a sexually explicit dance in which both young men and women perform brisk steps, shaking of hands and swaying of hips. All these movements imply the youthful vitality and sexual passions which they want to be induced into the Mother Earth so that a high yield is ensured.
• The dance is accompanied by revelry and feast in which Poro Aapong or rice beer, dried fish and spicy pork are cooked and eaten for five days.
• However, fishing, ploughing, burning jungles for jhoom cultivation and cutting of trees are strictly prohibited during the festival.

Season to visit Ali-Ai-Ligang in Assam

How to Reach Assam

• Take a direct flight to the capital of Assam, Guwahati from Delhi or Kolkata.
• You can board a train to Guwahati and reach there in less than two days. You can also reach the capital from Kolkata in a number of trains