GUWAHATI : The entire state of Assam is carrying on the celebration of Me-Dam-Me-Phi on 31st of January, Tuesday. Several parts of the state especially the Ahom community will honour and offer tribute to their ancestors today.
Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma has sent greetings to all the citizens in the occasion of Me-Dam-Me-Phi. The CM wished everyone through his individual Twitter account.
During this auspicious occasion, people also offer prayers for well-being, nourishment and development of mankind. People of the Tai Ahom Community celebrate the day with varied customs and traditions. The occasion is carried out in a more grand manner in the Upper Assam region of the state.
As per the reports, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will attend the occasion in Assam's Dibrugarh district. The CM will visit the Tipam area, where people have organised the event following all traditions and customs.
Taranga Gogoi, the MLA of Naharkatia at Tipam, states that, the occasion is waiting for the gracious presence of the CM. He further mentioned that Himanta Biswa Sarma will also visit the hilltop, where Swargdeo Sukaphaa initially laid his feet.
Me-Dam-Me-Phi is celebrated every year on the 31st of January, in the memory of their ancestors. It is a festival which flourishes the memories if the departed and remember their immense contribution in the society.
The occasion is observed by the Ahom, or Tai-Ahom, ethnic community that is spread across the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Me' means worship, 'Dam' means the dead and 'Phi' means god. That is, the dead ones are; worshipped as gods by the Ahoms.
The Ancestor worship is related to the idea of the soul living forever; after one' s death, his soul would leave his body and go back to the place in heaven where his ancestors live. Many Tai families offer sacrifices to "Heaven, earth, king ancestor and teacher" in the central room of their house. When people get gifts from relatives or any kind of fresh products, they consecrate first to the ancestors and then eat.
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