Kulajan is the gateway to Northern Assam from Sothern Assam connecting both regions by the Bogibeel Bridge.
History
In the picture, girls are performing Gumrag Paksong in the Mising Bane Kebang.
In 1966, the 42nd General Conference of the Mising Bane Kebang[2](Greater Assembly of the Misings), was held in Kulajan. The Prime Minister of India of that time Mrs.Indira Gandhi attended the Conference as the Chief Guest. In this conference, the Kebang informed the Prime Minister mainly about the Mising tribe such as how they celebrate the festival Ali Ai Ligang, their traditional food and cuisine, their language, their attires, religion and belief system. And their role in contributing to the culture and traditions of Assam.[3]
In this Conference, people of Mising Community as well as other communities of the district participated enthusiastically. The special thing to be note about this conference was that the Kebang agreed to open the position of President, Secretary of the Kebang as well as the others positions to participants from Non-Mising People. This was a good sign for the peace and harmony of the region.[4]
People
Kulajan is mostly inhabited by the Mising, an indigenous Assamese ethnic group in Assam. About 95% of inhabitants are Mising community and only 5% belong to other communities according to 2011 Census of India.
Ali Ai Ligang is a local festival. On that day they prepare a local homemade rice beer known as Apong, available in two varieties i.e. Nogin and Po: Ro. Also they serve their guests with purang apin, pe:red oying and adin ba:nam (roasted pork). On the eve of Ali Ai Ligang, the Mising girls and boys dress in traditional dress. The festival is celebrated with performing dance and singing Mising Folk songs. Other festivals like Dobur and Porag are mostly celebrated along with the national festival of the indigenous Assamese communities, i.e. Bihu and other festivals such as Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Diwali, etc. Agriculture, handloom weaving and services are the main source of earning among the people here.[5][6]
