India, Jan. 31 -- Every year, the people of Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh come together to honor their ancestors in a vibrant celebration known as the Me Dam Me Phi Festival. Rooted deeply in the traditions of the Tai-Ahom community, this festival is not just a ritual observance but a cultural expression of gratitude, family unity, and spiritual devotion. Typically celebrated in January or February, corresponding to the traditional Assamese calendar, the festival has been a cornerstone of Assamese cultural identity for centuries.

The festival, whose name loosely translates to "honoring ancestors," revolves around paying homage to departed forebears. Families gather in their homes or community spaces to perform rituals that have be...