[ Prafulla Kaman ]
BOGIBEEL (Assam), Sep 30: As part of the efforts to further strengthen the Adi-Mising relationship, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang and the Adi-Mising Baane Kebang (AMBK) celebrated central Solung festival at Dambuk near Bogibeel Bridge here in Dhemaji district on Sunday.
Members and leaders of both the communities recalled their genealogical relationships and the similarities in their cultures and the languages.
Throwing light on the Solung mythology and the evolution of the Adi-Mising civilization, AMBK general secretary Okom Yosung said the myths and traditional ethos pertaining to agriculture-based festivals like Solung are common among the tribal people belonging to the Tani group.
Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha member from Lakhimpur, Pradan Baruah, stressed the need for preservation of the age-old cultures and traditions of the two communities. He urged the people of both neighbouring states to maintain amity and cooperate with each other in case of any unfavourable situation.
Dhemaji MLA Dr Ronuj Pegu, Jonai MLA Bhuban Pegu, Dambuk (Arunachal) MLA Gum Tayeng, TMPK president Naresh Kumbang, and AMBK leaders spoke in favour of the Adi-Mising unity through cultural exchanges.
This was the fourth edition of the central Solung festival organized in Assam under the aegis of the Adi and Mising organizations. The celebration witnessed the attendance of over 1 lakh people of both the communities.
The Adis of Arunachal Pradesh and the Misings living in Assam have been jointly celebrating the festival for the last four years to strengthen their relations.
The traditional behaviour and mythological beliefs of the Adi and the Mising communities are manifested in the folk dances, songs, and festival celebrations which symbolize the spirit of their origin and evolution.
According to ethnologists, both the communities belong to the same Indo-Chinese family and are of Mongoloid origin.
The tribes, who earlier lived together in present Arunachal Pradesh, were divided into two different communities after the bifurcation of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in 1972.
Solung festival comprises three parts – Sopi-Yekpi, the first part, is the sacrificial day; Binnayat, the second part, is a ritual offering to the goddess of crops, Kine Nane; and Ekop/Taktor, the third part, is the ritual for protection against harm by evil spirits.
Display of folk dances, community feast, and exhibition of food items and traditional attires were some of the special attractions of the festive occasion.
