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2021-07-20T03:02:51Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name= Porag
| logo=
| image=
| caption=
| location= [[Assam]], India
| years_active=
| founded=
| dates=
| genre= Folk
| frequency= annual
| patron= [[Mishing people|Misings]]
| website=
}}

'''Porag''' ([[Assamese language|Assamese]]: '''পৰাগ''') is a five-day long post-harvest festival observed by the [[Mishing people|Misings]] of [[Assam]].<ref name="ab">{{cite web|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Porag-65101.htm|title=Porag|date=15 June 2005|publisher=India9|accessdate=20 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="cd">{{cite web|url=http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/symbolism-of-ethnicity-porag-the-dance-festival-of-the-miris-or-the-mishings-of-assam-233798.html|title=Porag – the Dance Festival of the Miris or the Mishings of Assam|last=Chandra Pathak|first=Niranjan|date=12 Oct 2007|publisher=Articles base|accessdate=31 December 2009}}</ref> Drummers and dancers belonging to a village are invited to perform in the neighboring village.{{cn|date=August 2020}} They present their skills to their full potential, providing wholesome entertainment to those gathered at the venue.<ref name="ab" /> It is a festival of songs and dances. It is also called '''Nara Singha Bihu'''.<ref name="cd" />

==Significance==
Generally Miri youths, after harvesting the crops, observe this festival in order to appease the Almighty, mother earth and their forefathers and seek blessings from them. Both young boys and girls in their traditional attire take part in singing and dancing. The songs are based on agriculture and the dances are typical imitation of the dance postures of the agricultural works.<ref name="cd" /><ref name="ef">{{cite web|url=http://www.lisindia.net/Miri/Miri_cult.html|title=Miri Culture – Porag|publisher=Lisindia|accessdate=31 December 2009}}</ref>

==The Muroung==
The ''Murong'' is the community hall of the [[Mishing people|Misings]].<ref name="ef" /> At the beginning of the festival the Morung is renovated decorating the tie- beams and the posts splendidly. Nowadays, in some villages, the system of decorating them has changed and a new one is used.<ref name="cd" />

==Arrangement==
The youth organisation of the tribe arranges the festival<ref name="cd" /><ref name="ef" /> in a formal and systematic manner called ''Daghik''. For smooth functioning of the festival, officers are appointed as Migam Bora and Bar Puwary etc. under whom there are some high and low officers as Deka Bora, Tiri Bora, Tamuli and Bar Barani who assist them to run function well. In ancient time a ''Miboo'' was appointed as leader for the functioning of the festival. Nowadays he has been replaced by Migam Bora and Bar puwary.<ref name="cd" />

==The feast==
A grand feast is arranged where at least four to five pigs are sacrificed.<ref name="cd" /><ref name="ef" /> Large quantities of food stuffs and drink are arranged much in advance. The host village invites neighboring villages to take part in the festival as ''Minams'' (guests). The ''Minams'' are cordially received and taken with Gumrag dance to the Morung. The festival ends with a prayer dance known as ''Ponu Nunam''.<ref name="cd" />

==See also==
*[[Assamese Culture]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Fairs and Festivals in Assam}}

[[Category:Festivals in Assam]]
[[Category:Harvest festivals in India]]
[[Category:Mising Population]]

Porag - Revision history

imported>Maruf Hossain: added Category:Mising Population using HotCat