Bihu of Assam

Bihu

Bihu is the main festival of the Assamese People. It is the National Festival of Assam. Assam, one of the most beautiful states of India, situated at North-East India known for its tea gardens, One horn Rhino, lush green forests and the mighty Brahmaputra river. Irrespective of class and caste, Bihu is observed by all. It is a festival that transcends all religious and class barriers bringing people together in a free and uninhabited manner. The word Bihu comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Vishu’. With the passage of time, this festival has been adjusting itself at different ages, taking into consideration the changed situation of a particular age.

The Bihu of Assam denotes a set of three different largely secular festivals and they are Rongaali Bihu or Bohaag Bihu, Kati Bihu or Kongaali Bihu and the last but not the least Magh Bihu or Bhogaali Bihu’. Though they owe their origins to ancient rites and practices they have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus in the recent decades. Bihu is also used to imply Bihu dance and Bihu folk songs.

Rongali Bihu

‘Rongaali Bihu’ also known as Bohag Bihu (in Bodo language it call as “Baisagu”) and the most important Bihu of all the three, is celebrated in the month of Bohaag (around of April), the first month of the Assamese calendar) and the coming of Spring. This marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar and is also observed in Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab and Tamil Nadu though called by different names. It marks the advent of the Assamese New Year. It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. . Bihu Dance and Bihu Songs are the main features of this Bihu. The first day of the Bihu is known as ‘Goru Bihu’ and is reserved for cattle rites, on which day the cows and bulls are given a ritual bath with ‘halodhi’, ‘maah’ with the accompanying song "Lao Kha, Bengena Kha, Bochore Bochore Badhi Ja". This is followed by manuh (human) bihu on April 15, the New Year Day of Assam. This is the day of getting cleaned up, wearing new cloths and celebrating and getting ready for the New Year with fresh vigor. The third day is Gosai (Gods) bihu; statues of Gods, worshiped in all households are cleaned and worshiped asking for a smooth new year.

Kongali Bihu

Kongali Bihu has a different flavour as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. Unlike the other two this Bihu is very simple and quiet Bihu without any funfare. But this Bihu is very important among the Assamese people. It is celebrated in the mid-October(7^th month of the Assamese calendar). This Bihu is also known Kati-Bihu. The Bihu marks silent prayer in the form of lighting of earthen lamps in the corp field and in the Gohain Ghar. The Bodo people light lamps at the foot of the siju (Euphorbia) tree. This Bihu is also associated with the lighting of akaxi gonga or akaxbonti, lamps at the tip of a tall bamboo pole, to show the souls of the dead the way to heaven, a practice that is common to many communities in Asia and Europe

Magh or Bhogali Bihu

Bhogali Bihu comes from the word Bhog that is eating and enjoyment. Bhogaali Bihu is celebrated around mid-anuary, immediately after the traditional paddy cultivation is harvested. It marks the end of harvesting season and there is a lot of feasting and eating during this period. As the granaries are full at this Bihu time, there is a lot of feasting and eating during this period. The eve of the day of the Bihu is called uruka. It is the last day of pausa, menfolk. Generally in this Bihu ypung people go to field and build Bhela Ghar or Meji Ghar (a temporary thatched houses (made with thatch and dry plantation leaves/ trunk) and the Meji, the most important thing for the night. During Uruka an overnight community function is held in Bhela Ghar or Meji Ghar. During the night, they prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere

Boys roam about in the dark night stealing firewood and vegetables for fun. The next early morning they take a bath and burn the main Meji and the Bhela Ghar. People gather around the Meji and do the Prayer 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 to get favourable results. All the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. Different types of sports like Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight etc. are held throughout the day. A variety of traditional Assamese sweets and cakes like the Laru, Pitha etc. are prepared on the occasion in every home. The day after Uruka people go out for visiting relatives and friends to convey and exchange the Bihu greetings; the guests, neighbours and relatives are treated with the snacks prepared for the occasion.