The Tai Ahom community on Wednesday observed the sacred festival of Me-Dam-Me-Phi as the entire state celebrated the event.
Me-Dam-Me-Phi holds immense cultural significance for the Ahom community in Assam. It is celebrated with fervour and communal unity every year on 31 January.
This festival is deeply embedded in the tradition of ancestor worship, a cultural thread binding the Tai Ahom community.
The term ‘Me-Dam-Me-Phi’ encompasses three key elements: ‘Me’ represents offerings, ‘Dam’ signifies ancestors, and ‘Phi’ denotes gods.
During this festival, the Ahom people offer oblations to their ancestors and gods, paying homage to the departed and seeking their blessings. It is a day dedicated to commemorating the contributions of ancestors to society and expressing gratitude for their guidance.
Ahom families, during Me-Dam-Me-Phi, erect a sacred pillar called ‘Damkhuta’, opposite the kitchen, which serves as a worship place.
Offerings such as homemade wine, rice with meat and fish, and vegetarian dishes are presented. Rituals are conducted by Ahom priests, known as Deodhai and Bailung, who chant mantras in the Ahom language and follow codes from sacred manuscripts like Phralung and Banfi.
The festival also involves the veneration of specific gods, including Chaufi and Dam Chaufi, considered gods of heaven. Other deities associated with natural powers and earthly realms are honoured at various times of the year. Central to the Ahom faith is the belief that a person’s soul, after death, transforms into an ancestor for a brief period before evolving into a god, uniting the soul with the supreme soul and endowing it with spiritual qualities that continue to bless the family.
Beyond its religious significance, Me-Dam-Me-Phi is a cultural extravaganza promoting unity, brotherhood, and mutual understanding among the Ahom people. It serves as a vibrant expression of their rich heritage, allowing the new generation to connect with their ancestral roots and celebrate the legacy left behind by their forebears.
Dating back to ancient times, historical records indicate that Ahom kings observed Me-Dam-Me-Phi to commemorate victories, seek protection from imminent dangers, or desire longevity for themselves and their subjects.