The Mising tribe, one of the major indigenous communities of Assam, have traditionally
lived in the Brahmaputra River valley and have a long history of inhabiting Majuli – the
largest river island in the world. They have traditionally been farmers and fishermen and
have lived in harmony with the natural environment, especially with the river
Brahmaputra. They have a rich and unique cultural heritage that includes their own
language, traditional customs, attires, festivals (like the Ali-Aye-Ligang celebrated in
February or March), and agricultural practices. . They also have a long-standing
tradition of brewing a local alcohol called “Apong” (a traditional rice beer that is made by
fermenting rice) which is consumed during festivals and ceremonies and plays a central
role in Mising social and cultural life.
In this short escape, you will be taking on a journey into the Mising community’s way of life – you will witness the Mising vernacular architecture and the purpose it serves, eat a nourishing traditional Mising meal accompanied with apong in a local home, learn about the alcohol-brewing process made with over 100 medicial plants and understand how Misings are deeply tied to their ancestral land, the river and its ecology.
