Me-Dam-Me-Phi Festival, the traditional ancestor worship festival of the Ahom community, is observed every year on January 31 across Assam and is recognised as a State holiday.

What is Me-Dam-Me-Phi?

Me-Dam-Me-Phi literally means:

• Me – offerings
• Dam – ancestors
• Phi – god

It signifies offering rituals to ancestors and sacrifices to the divine, based on the belief that ancestors attain god-like status after death.

The festival has been celebrated since the 13th century, making it one of the oldest living traditions of Assam.

Historical significance

Ahom kings traditionally observed Me-Dam-Me-Phi to honour ancestors, celebrate victories after wars, and seek protection from misfortune.

Kings such as Siu-Huim-Mong, Gadadhar Singha, Pramatta Singha and Rajeswar Singha performed these rituals.

The most important public ceremony has historically been held at Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahom kingdom and royal burial site.

According to Ahom belief, the immortal soul of ancestors ultimately merges with the Supreme Being.

Rituals and celebration

The festival is widely celebrated in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur, where the Ahom population is concentrated.

Three deities are worshipped:

• Grihadam (household ancestors)
• Dam Changphi (royal ancestors)
• Me-Dam-Me-Phi (supreme heavenly god)

Rituals are performed at home, usually in the kitchen, around a symbolic pillar called Damkhuta.

Offerings include rice, meat, fish, beans, chickpeas and traditional rice wine.

Cultural programmes such as dance, music and drama mark the community celebrations.

Notably, other communities of Assam also participate, reflecting the festival’s inclusive spirit.

Other Deities of Ahoms

• Phuratara – Creator
• Lengdon – God of Heaven
• Jasingfa – Goddess of Learning
• Phai – God of Fire
• Kao-Kham – God of Water

Exam Hook –

Consider the following statements:

1. Me-Dam-Me-Phi is an ancestor worship festival celebrated on January 31.
2. Charaideo was the first capital of the Ahom kingdom and a major centre of Me-Dam-Me-Phi rituals.
3. The festival is restricted only to Ahom households and excludes other communities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 1 and 2 only

https://epaper.assamtribune.com/full-page-pdf/epaper/pdf/2026/01/31/the-assam-tribune/7354