Porag

Last updated

Porag
GenreFolk
Frequencyannual
Location(s) Assam, India
Patron(s) Mishing people

Porag, also called Nara Singha Bihu, [1] is a five-day long post-harvest festival observed by the Misings of Assam. [2] [1] Drummers and dancers belonging to a village are invited to perform in the neighboring village.[ citation needed ] It is a festival of songs and dances.

Contents

Significance

Generally Miri youths, after harvesting the crops, observe this festival in order to appease the supposed Almighty, mother earth and their forefathers and seek blessings from them. Both young boys and girls in their traditional attire take part in singing and dancing. The songs are based on agriculture and the dances are typical imitation of the dance postures of the agricultural works. [1] [3]

Muroung

The "Murong" is the community hall of the Misings. [3] At the beginning of the festival, the Morung is renovated by decorating the tie-beams and the posts. Nowadays, in some villages, the system of decorating them has changed and a new one is used. [1]

Arrangement

The youth organisation of the tribe arranges the festival [1] [3] in a formal and systematic manner called "Daghik". Officers are appointed as Migam Bora, Bar Puwary, etc. under whom there are some high and low officers, such as Deka Bora, Tiri Bora, Tamuli and Bar Barani, who assist them. In ancient times, a "Miboo" was appointed as leader for the functioning of the festival. Nowadays, he has been replaced by Migam Bora and Bar puwary. [1]

A grand feast is arranged where at least four to five pigs are sacrificed. [1] [3] The host village invites neighboring villages to take part in the festival as Minams (guests). The Minams are cordially received and taken with Gumrag dance to the Morung. The festival ends with a prayer dance known as "Ponu Nunam". [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bihu</span> Three seasonal festivals of Assamese people

Bihu is a set of three important cultural festivals unique to the Indian state of Assam – 'Rongali' or 'Bohag Bihu' observed in April, 'Kongali' or 'Kati Bihu' observed in October or November, and 'Bhogali' or 'Magh Bihu' observed in January. The festivals present an admixture of Tibeto-Burman, Austroasiatic and Indo-Aryan traditions entwined so intricately that it is impossible to separate them—festivals which are uniquely Assamese to which all communities of Assam had contributed elements. The Rongali Bihu is the most important of the three, celebrating spring festival. The Bhogali Bihu or the Magh Bihu is a harvest festival, with community feasts. The Kongali Bihu or the Kati Bihu is the sombre, thrifty one reflecting a season of short supplies and is an animistic festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makar Sankranti</span> Hindu festival that reveres Surya (sun god)

Makar(a) Sankranti, also referred to as Uttarayana, Makar, or simply Sankranti, is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of January 14 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (makara). Since the sun has made this transition which vaguely coincides with moving from south to north, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new beginning. Many native multi-day festivals are organised on this occasion all over India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majuli</span> River Island in Assam, Northeast India

Mājuli or Majuli is a river island in the Brahmaputra River, Assam state, India. On September 8, 2016 an additional district was announced by Sarbananda Sonowal, it became the first island to be made a district in India. In the 1790s, the island covered an area of 1,300 km2 (500 sq mi). It had an area of 1,255 square kilometres (485 sq mi) at the beginning of the 20th century, but having lost significantly to erosion it covers 352 square kilometres (136 sq mi) as at 2014. Majuli has shrunk as the river surrounding it has grown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adi people</span> Ethnic group of Tibet and Northeast India

The Adi people are one of the most populous groups of indigenous peoples in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. A few thousand are also found in the Tibet Autonomous Region, where they are called the Lhoba together with some of the Nyishi people, Na people, Mishmi people and Tagin people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karbi people</span> Ethnic group in north-east India

The Karbis or Mikir are one of the major ethnic community in Northeast India. They are mostly concentrated in the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong of Assam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garo people</span> Ethnic group of Indian subcontinent

The Garo people are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group inhabiting predominantly in Northeast Indian states of Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura and Nagaland, and in some neighbouring areas of Bangladesh. Historically, the name Garo was used for a large number of different peoples living on the southern bank of Brahmaputra river, but now refers primarily to those who call themselves A•chik Mande or simply A•chik or Mande and the name "Garo" is now being used by outsiders as an exonym. They are the second-largest tribe in Meghalaya after the Khasi and comprise about a third of the local population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harvest festival</span> Annual celebration of the harvest season

A harvest festival is an annual celebration that occurs around the time of the main harvest of a given region. Given the differences in climate and crops around the world, harvest festivals can be found at various times at different places. Harvest festivals typically feature feasting, both family and public, with foods that are drawn from crops.

The indigenous people of Bangladesh are ethnic minorities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (southeastern), Sylhet Division (northeastern), Rajshahi Division (west), and Mymensingh Division (north-central) areas of the country. They are indigenous and the tribal races, total population of ethnic minorities in Bangladesh was estimated to be over 2 million in 2010. They are diverse ethnic communities including Tibeto-Burman, Austric and Dravidian people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magh Bihu</span> Harvest festival in Assam, India

Magh Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu or Maghar Domahi is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, North-East India, which marks the end of harvesting season in the month of Magh. A bonfire is lit for the ceremonial conclusion and prayer to the God of Fire. The festival is developed by the Tibeto-Burman and Indo-aryan cultures and festivals Magan of Kachari.

Kulajan Tiniali is a town in Dhemaji district in the Indian state of Assam. The town is situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River, and is located approximately 493 kilometres from the city of Guwahati and just 13 km from Arunachal Pradesh. National Highway 15B starts at Kulajan and connects it to Dibrugarh.

Pousha Purnima, also known as Puspuni, is an annual festival observed in Odisha, India. This is observed on the Puni day of the month of Pus. It derives its origin from the age-old agrarian culture of the land. Basically, it is an annual occasion wherein the farmer families celebrate their annual harvest of paddy. It has given rise to a great tradition of celebration by other communities, too. People of Western Odisha, irrespective of their economic occupation feast, song and dance, and rejoice in giving away on this day.

Rongker is an annual winter time festival of merriment observed by the Karbis of Assam. It is also known as Dehal in Dumra Longri i.e. Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam and Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. It is observed in order to appease the local deities, associated with the welfare of the village and the harvest of crops and also to get rid of all evil happenings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folk dances of Assam</span>

Folk dances of Assam include the Bihu and the Bagurumba, the Bhortal, the Ojapali dance. Assam is home to many groups: Muslim, Indo-Aryan, Rabha, Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, Mising, Sonowal Kacharis, Mishmi and Tiwa (Lalung) etc. These cultures come together to create an Assamese culture. Residents of the state of Assam are known as "Axomiya" (Assamese). Most tribes have their own language, although Assamese is the primary language of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yimkhiung Naga</span>

The Yimkhiungs are a Naga ethnic group inhabiting the territories of Shamator and Kiphire District in the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland and western areas of Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Ai Ligang</span> Indigenous festival in India

Ali-Aye-Ligang or Ali-Ai-Ligang a spring festivity associated with agriculture celebrated by the Mising or Mishing tribal people of Assam and other Northeast indian states on the occasion of the beginning of the Ahu paddy cultivation. The festival marks onset of sowing seeds. The name of the festival is made up of three terms, "Ali", legumes, "Aye", seed and "Ligang", to sow. The festival begins on the first Wednesday of the Phalguna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mising people</span> Indigenous community in north-east India

The Mising people are a Sino-Tibetan indigenous ethnic group inhabiting the Northeast Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. They are part of Tani group of people of Northeast India.

Here is a list of glossary of Culture of India in alphabetical order:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karam festival</span> Festival celebrated in India

Karam is a harvest festival celebrated in Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Odisha and Bangladesh. It is dedicated to the worship of Karam-Devta (Karam-Lord/God), the god of power, youth and youthfulness. It celebrated for good harvest and health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majuli district</span> District of Assam in India

Majuli district is the largest river island in the world, situated on the Brahmaputra River in Northeastern Assam. It is also the first island district of the country.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chandra Pathak, Niranjan (12 October 2007). "Porag – the Dance Festival of the Miris or the Mishings of Assam". Articles base. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  2. "Porag". India9. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Miri Culture – Porag". Lisindia. Retrieved 31 December 2009.