Porag

Porag
Frequency	annual
Location(s)	Assam, India
Genre	Folk
Patron	Misings

Porag (Assamese: পৰাগ) is a five-days long post-harvest festival observed by the Misings of Assam.^[1][2] Drummers and dancers belonging to a village are invited to perform in the neighboring village. They present their skills to their full potential, providing wholesome entertainment to those gathered at the venue.^[1] It is a festival of songs and dances. It is also called Nara Singha Bihu.^[2]

Significance

Generally Miri youths, after harvesting the crops, observe this festival in order to appease the 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.^[2][3]

The Morung

The Morung is the community hall of the Misings.^[3] At the beginning of the festival the Morung is renovated decorating the tie- beams and the posts splendidly. Nowadays, in some villages, the system of decorating them is changed and a new one is roped in.^[2]

Arrangement

The youth organisation of the tribe arranges the festival^[2][3] in a formal and systematic manner called Daghik. For smooth functioning of the festival, officers are appointed as Migam Bora and Bar Puwary etc. under whom there are some high and low officers as Deka Bora, Tiri Bora, Tamuli and Bar Barani who assist them to run function well. In ancient time a Miboo was appointed as leader for the functioning of the festival. Nowadays he has been replaced by Migam Mora and Bar puwary.^[2]

The feast

A grand feast is arranged where at least four to five pigs are sacrificed.^[2][3] Large quantities of food stuffs and drink are arranged much in advance. The host village invites neighboring villages to take part in the festival as Ninams (guests). The Ninams are cordially received and taken with Gumrag dance to the Morung. The festival ends with a prayer dance known as Ponu Nunam.^[2]

See also

• Assamese Culture

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Porag". India9. (June 15, 2005). http://www.india9.com/i9show/Porag-65101.htm. Retrieved 31 December 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Chandra Pathak, Niranjan (Oct 12, 2007). "Porag – the Dance Festival of the Miris or the Mishings of Assam". Articles base. http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/symbolism-of-ethnicity-porag-the-dance-festival-of-the-miris-or-the-mishings-of-assam-233798.html. Retrieved 31 December 2009. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} "Miri Culture – Porag". Lisindia. http://www.lisindia.net/Miri/Miri_cult.html. Retrieved 31 December 2009.