Me-Dam-Me-Phi, the day of paying tribute to the ancestors by Ahom community observed across Assam

Assam Government to organise International seminars in Delhi-Mumbai to commemorate 400th birth anniversary of the Ahom General Veer Lachit Borphukan.

Guwahati: Ahom community, which ruled the undivided Assam for 600 years, across Assam paid tributes through their traditional puja to their ancestors on the occasion of Me Dam Me Phi. Me Dam Me Phi, the day for paying tributes to the ancestors by offering traditional puja, is observed by the Ahom, the largest indigenous community of Assam, on Monday (31 January). 

Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today attended the Me-Dam-Me-Phi programme organised centrally at Habung in Dhemaji by the Cultural Affairs Department, Govt of Assam and Habung Development Management Committee. At the beginning of the programme, the Chief Minister took part in the ritual of offering prayers to the ancestors. 

In his speech, Dr Sarma said, “Even though Me-Dam-Me-Phi is a spiritual and traditional event, it has greater significance. It provides the opportunity of paying tributes to the ancestors and earlier generations. The blessings of the ancestors help the present generations to march ahead. I offer my prayers to our earlier generations for the well-being of every citizen of Assam.”             

Saying that Me-Dam-Me-Phi is not restricted anymore to the Ahom community alone, the Chief Minister asserted it has become much bigger and universal. Historic Habung, the second capital of Swargadeo Siu-Ka-Pha, would be preserved and developed along with other important places of Ahom rule such as Tipam, Charaideo etc. and made centres of tourist attraction, he announced.  

The Chief Minister asserted that the history of Assam and Tai Ahoms are not dissimilar, and the glorious chapter of 600 years of Ahom rule has always made every Assamese proud. State Government is committed to preserving the legacy of Ahoms. This year, in connection with the celebration of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan, the State Government would organise two international symposiums in New Delhi and Mumbai and make a documentary in English and Hindi on the life and works of the great Ahom General, he informed. 

The Chief Minister also announced that steps would be taken to develop the Lachit Borphukan ground at Jorhat. He called on All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU) to help arrange 50 bighas of land near the ground for the same. Similarly, he announced that a project would be taken for making Rang Ghar the centre of Assam’s rich cultural heritage, covering an area of 100 bighas.   

He also informed about setting up an ethnic village at Habung to showcase the traditions, customs, cuisine, and attire of various ethnic communities. He called on ATASU to take the initiative to set up an international level auditorium and a Tai Ahom Museum.