Context:
Mising tribe celebrated Ali Ai Ligang in Jorhat.
Ali Ai Ligang Festival:
- Celebrates the start of cultivation for the Mising tribe.
- Farmers seek blessings from Donyi Polo (Sun and Moon deities) for protection against pests and natural calamities.
- Perform Gumrag Dance, a ritual dance performed by men and women, symbolizing joy, prosperity, and unity.
Mising Tribe:
- Primarily reside in Assam (Upper Assam districts) and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Live near rivers like the Brahmaputra, which are prone to seasonal floods, influencing their stilt house (Chang Ghar) architecture.
- Follow Donyi Poloism, worshipping the Sun and Moon as supreme deities.
- Maintain age-old agrarian traditions, with festivals like Ali Ai Ligang reflecting their deep connection with nature.
- Occupation and Livelihood – Primarily farmers, cultivating paddy, mustard, and vegetables.
- Fishing and weaving are significant aspects of their economy.
- Women are skilled in making hand-woven Mising textiles.
Source: TOI
Previous Year Question
Consider the following pairs:
Traditions: Communities
1. Chalia Sahib Festival: Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra: Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari: Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a)