'Me-Dam-Me-Phi', the festival of ancestor worship, is celebrated in which state?

Me-Dam-Me-Phi is a festival of ancestor worship celebrated by the Tai-Ahom community of Assam. It is observed every year on 31 January, which is a state holiday in Assam.

The name of the festival comes from the Tai-Ahom language: "Me" means offerings, "Dam" means the ancestors (the dead), and "Phi" means the gods. Together, the name means "offerings to the ancestors and gods". The festival expresses the belief of the Tai-Ahom people that their ancestors continue to watch over and protect the family, and that they must be honoured and remembered. On this day, families and communities perform rituals and make offerings of food, rice beer and other items to their departed ancestors and to the gods, praying for their blessings, protection and prosperity. Community celebrations are held at public places, with prayers, cultural programmes and traditional songs and dances.

The Ahoms are a people of Tai origin who came to the Brahmaputra valley from the region of present-day Myanmar and southern China in the 13th century, led by Sukaphaa. They founded the Ahom kingdom, which ruled much of Assam for about 600 years, from 1228 to 1826. The Ahoms are famous for defending Assam against the Mughals, especially under the general Lachit Borphukan, who won the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. The Ahom capitals included Charaideo, Garhgaon and Rangpur (Sivasagar). Charaideo, with its royal burial mounds called moidams, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.

Assam has many other festivals, such as the three Bihus, Ali-Aye-Ligang of the Mishings, Baishagu of the Bodos and Rongker of the Karbis.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Manipur is known for festivals such as Lai Haraoba and Yaoshang.
• ✗Tripura is known for Kharchi Puja and Garia Puja.
• ✗Nagaland is known for the Hornbill Festival and the festivals of its many tribes.