Bohag Bihu Festival
Bihu or Bohag Bihu is the most important festival of the people of Assam. It is a festival that transcends all religious and class barriers bringing people together in a free and uninhabited manner. The Assamese observe not one but three Bihus.
The word Bihu is derived from the Dimasa kachari language. The tribe Dimasa kachari lived in Assam since ancient time.
Assam being a land of composite culture reflects a chain of festivals of different tribes throughout the year. Bihu is the most important festivals of Assam, celebrated with fun and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. The breathtaking hills and valleys of Assam come alive with the sound of Bihu thrice a year. viz. Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu in April, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in January and Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu in October/ November.
The Bihu festival signifies a celebration of farming, especially paddy. For example, Rongali Bihu marks the beginning of sowing of seeds, the Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplantation of the saplings and finally Magh Bihu marks the advent of the harvest period.
Bohag Bihu, is celebrated in mid-April, the Magh Bihu, held in mid-January, and the Kati Bihu is celebrated in mid-October. The three are connected with the spring, winter and autumn seasons respectively.
Bihu is the biggest festival of the people of the Assam region. This is truly a regional festival, which brings a sense of solidarity and unity among the people of the Assam region. It comes thrice a year and marks the changes in the seasons.
Rongali Bihu is celebrated by most of the races that inhabit in Assam in their own colors and names. It is the most popular Bihu that celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 15) and the coming of spring. Parallels of Bihu among the other races and tribes of Assam are Baisagu for Bodo Kacharis, Baikhu for Rabhas, Ali- Ai -Ligang for Misings, Bohhaggio Bishu for Deoris. Contemporaries of Magh Bihu are Nara-siga Bihu of Miring, Pushy Par. or Tushu Puja of tea tribe of Assam. Other community festivals of Assam are Rongker of Karbis, Rajini Gabra and Harni Gabra of Dimasa tribe.
It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. The first day of the Bihu is called Goru Bihu or Cow Bihu, where the cows are washed and worshipped, which falls on the last day of the previous year, usually on April 14. This is followed by Manuh (human) Bihu on April 15, the New Year Day. This is the day of getting cleaned up, wearing new cloths and celebrating and getting ready for the New Year with fresh vigor.
The Goru Bihu or cattle worship rites are observed on the last day of the year. The rationale behind the worshipping of cows is very simple. They are the greatest assets of a farmer because not only do they produce milk but also help plough fields, transport men, crop and so on.
The cattle are washed, smeared with ground turmeric and other pastes, struck with sprigs of dighalati and makhiyati and endeared to be healthy and productive. A hearty meal of gourd and brinjal is fed to the cows, while singing the assamese traditional song (lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja/ maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru) which means eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow from year to year/your mother is small, your father is small, but you be a large one).
The New Year day, the day after the Goru Bihu, is called the Manuh Bihu. With gifts of Bihuwan (a gamosa), which is traditional Assamese piece of cloth, are gifted to elders a mark of respect. Children are also given new clothes, and Husori singing begins on this day, and people visit their relatives and friend. Village elders move from household to households singing carols, also in the style of Bihu geets, called Husoris. Different Bihu pandals also organize cultural functions, which goes on for four-five days.
Kati or Kongali Bihu (mid-October, also called Kati-Bihu) has a different flavour as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. People worship the deities for a rich harvest; it is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi who is the dispenser of wealth to mortals. Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies. In the evenings, offerings are made to the 'Tulsi' plant. Little earthen lamps ('Diyas') are lighted at its feet and puja's are offered to God for improved yield of crops. The significance of this Bihu is more in the villages, where farmers go to their respective fields and light "Akash-Banti" or 'sky-lamp. Sacred to the Hindus, the tulsi (basil) tree is planted or pruned in the courtyard of each household and for the whole Assamese month of Kati, people worship the Tulsi plant with an earthen lamp.
The Magh Bihu that generally falls on 14th January on the sankranti of the month is the third Bihu that calls for a grand celebration in Assamese homes. Bhogali Bihu comes from the word Bhog that is eating and enjoyment. It is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season. The best thing about this Bihu is the elaborate and sumptious cuisine that is prepared. This grand feast known as Bhog is held on the night of the first day of the festival that is also called Uruka. On this day, people construct Mejis (mezi) or bhelaghars with bamboo and wood pieces on the farmland or open spaces. A feast is held on the Uruka night, which includes various delicacies. They prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. There is also exchange of sweets and greetings at this time. The entire night (called Uruka) is spent around a Meji with people singing Bihu songs, beating Dhol, a typical kind of drums or playing games. Boys roam about in the dark stealing firewood and vegetables for fun. The next morning they take a bath and burn the main Meji. People gather around the Meji and throw Pithas (rice cakes) and betel nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Thereafter they come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favourable results. Different types of sports like Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight etc. are also held throughout the day.
The word Bihu is derived from the Dimasa kachari language. The tribe Dimasa kachari lived in Assam since ancient time.
Assam being a land of composite culture reflects a chain of festivals of different tribes throughout the year. Bihu is the most important festivals of Assam, celebrated with fun and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. The breathtaking hills and valleys of Assam come alive with the sound of Bihu thrice a year. viz. Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu in April, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in January and Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu in October/ November.
The Bihu festival signifies a celebration of farming, especially paddy. For example, Rongali Bihu marks the beginning of sowing of seeds, the Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplantation of the saplings and finally Magh Bihu marks the advent of the harvest period.
Bohag Bihu, is celebrated in mid-April, the Magh Bihu, held in mid-January, and the Kati Bihu is celebrated in mid-October. The three are connected with the spring, winter and autumn seasons respectively.
Bihu is the biggest festival of the people of the Assam region. This is truly a regional festival, which brings a sense of solidarity and unity among the people of the Assam region. It comes thrice a year and marks the changes in the seasons.
Rongali Bihu
Rongali Bihu is celebrated by most of the races that inhabit in Assam in their own colors and names. It is the most popular Bihu that celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 15) and the coming of spring. Parallels of Bihu among the other races and tribes of Assam are Baisagu for Bodo Kacharis, Baikhu for Rabhas, Ali- Ai -Ligang for Misings, Bohhaggio Bishu for Deoris. Contemporaries of Magh Bihu are Nara-siga Bihu of Miring, Pushy Par. or Tushu Puja of tea tribe of Assam. Other community festivals of Assam are Rongker of Karbis, Rajini Gabra and Harni Gabra of Dimasa tribe.
It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. The first day of the Bihu is called Goru Bihu or Cow Bihu, where the cows are washed and worshipped, which falls on the last day of the previous year, usually on April 14. This is followed by Manuh (human) Bihu on April 15, the New Year Day. This is the day of getting cleaned up, wearing new cloths and celebrating and getting ready for the New Year with fresh vigor.
Goru Bihu
The Goru Bihu or cattle worship rites are observed on the last day of the year. The rationale behind the worshipping of cows is very simple. They are the greatest assets of a farmer because not only do they produce milk but also help plough fields, transport men, crop and so on.
The cattle are washed, smeared with ground turmeric and other pastes, struck with sprigs of dighalati and makhiyati and endeared to be healthy and productive. A hearty meal of gourd and brinjal is fed to the cows, while singing the assamese traditional song (lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja/ maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru) which means eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow from year to year/your mother is small, your father is small, but you be a large one).
Manuh Bihu
The New Year day, the day after the Goru Bihu, is called the Manuh Bihu. With gifts of Bihuwan (a gamosa), which is traditional Assamese piece of cloth, are gifted to elders a mark of respect. Children are also given new clothes, and Husori singing begins on this day, and people visit their relatives and friend. Village elders move from household to households singing carols, also in the style of Bihu geets, called Husoris. Different Bihu pandals also organize cultural functions, which goes on for four-five days.
Kongali Bihu
Kati or Kongali Bihu (mid-October, also called Kati-Bihu) has a different flavour as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. People worship the deities for a rich harvest; it is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi who is the dispenser of wealth to mortals. Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies. In the evenings, offerings are made to the 'Tulsi' plant. Little earthen lamps ('Diyas') are lighted at its feet and puja's are offered to God for improved yield of crops. The significance of this Bihu is more in the villages, where farmers go to their respective fields and light "Akash-Banti" or 'sky-lamp. Sacred to the Hindus, the tulsi (basil) tree is planted or pruned in the courtyard of each household and for the whole Assamese month of Kati, people worship the Tulsi plant with an earthen lamp.
Magh Bihu
The Magh Bihu that generally falls on 14th January on the sankranti of the month is the third Bihu that calls for a grand celebration in Assamese homes. Bhogali Bihu comes from the word Bhog that is eating and enjoyment. It is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season. The best thing about this Bihu is the elaborate and sumptious cuisine that is prepared. This grand feast known as Bhog is held on the night of the first day of the festival that is also called Uruka. On this day, people construct Mejis (mezi) or bhelaghars with bamboo and wood pieces on the farmland or open spaces. A feast is held on the Uruka night, which includes various delicacies. They prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. There is also exchange of sweets and greetings at this time. The entire night (called Uruka) is spent around a Meji with people singing Bihu songs, beating Dhol, a typical kind of drums or playing games. Boys roam about in the dark stealing firewood and vegetables for fun. The next morning they take a bath and burn the main Meji. People gather around the Meji and throw Pithas (rice cakes) and betel nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Thereafter they come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favourable results. Different types of sports like Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight etc. are also held throughout the day.
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