Assam is a land of diverse cultures and traditions known for its rich festivals and fairs. The festivals and fairs of Assam are like the epitomes of Assam’s rich culture and heritage. With traditional dances, songs, and chanting, Assame’s festivals look vibrant and colourful to witness. Here we are going to explore Assam’s one of the prominent festivals, Bohag Bihu. It is a wonderful festival of Assam celebrated to honour agriculture and farmers. What’slate? Let’s know in detail about the Bohag Bihu.
What is all about Assamese Bihu festivals?
Assamese celebrates three types of Bihu festivals marking different phases of harvesting in the region. The three Bihu festivals namely Bohag or Rongali Bihu, Bhugali Bihu, and Kangali Bihu. Each Bihu festival marks a particular phase of harvesting in Assam. Bohag Bihu is the start of the New Year according to the Assam traditional calendar and it marks the beginning of harvesting. Then, Kati Bihu marks the sowing and transplanting of crops, and finally, Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvesting season.
Irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, the people of Assam celebrate these festivals full of joy and love. These festivals are like small recognition and respect for their hard work and toil in making harvest and feeding people. With folk songs and dances, people enjoy the festival with full of joy.
The prominence of Bohag Bihu:
Known as the “Festival of Merimment”, Bohag Bihu is considered the festival of the New Year as per the Assam Hindu Calendar. It starts in the spring season between April and May. On every 14th of April, this festival is celebrated. The festival marks the beginning of harvesting season in Assam. At this time, people start preparing lands ready for agriculture and sowing seeds. In total for seven days, the festival will be celebrated. The first three days are very prominent. The seven days are called Raati Bihu, GosaiBihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Mela Bihu, and Sera Bihu.
Goru Bihu: This is the first day of Rongali Bihu, on this day, the livestock will be bathed with turmeric and offer good food. On this day, the living area, ropes, and everything related to livestock will be cleaned, and honour the livestock for their hard work in harvesting.
Manush Bihu: On this day, all men, women, and children wear new clothes and seek blessings from their elders. This day marks the beginning of the Bohag month.
Chot Bihu: On this day, people will visit their nearby temples and praise the gods for fruitful harvesting for this season.
Raati Bihu: On this day, people will gather under an ancient tree and illuminate the burning torches.
KutumbBihu: On this day, people visit their neighbours and relatives houses and invite them to dinner or lunch.
Mela Bihu: On this day, all youth and people gather and organize different cultural and traditional events.
Chera Bihu: This is the last day of the festival, on this day people seek the blessings of the god and wish for a good and prosperous harvesting season.
Traditions and Rituals:
During the long week festival, you can witness different traditions and rituals. Especially during the festival, the locals prepare different eateries to distribute to their friends and relatives. Pitha (rice cakes), laru (coconut sweets), doi, and different sweet dishes will be prepared. They are festival special sweets of Assamese. Later, during nights in open grounds, Bihu music and dance will be performed. Different traditional musical instruments like dhol, taal, gogona, and Pepa, performances will be performed.
Community celebrations take special attraction in this festival. They gather and enjoy different cultural programs and traditional competitions. Later, drama shows, art exhibitions, food festivals, etc stand as attractions of the festival. The festival stands as a great stage to exhibit Assamese arts, crafts, culture, and traditions.
Where it is celebrated:
The festival is celebrated in entire Assam from small towns to cities. Nowadays, well-organized Bihu festivals are conducted by the people with great unity and coordination. If you want to experience the true and rich cultural Bohag Bihu festival, villages are the best places to experience the undisturbed culture with modernity.
End of the Story:
Bohag Bihu is a wonderful festival of Assam to mark the beginning of the harvest and make a great stage for people to share their happiness and love for agriculture. Simply, festivals like these are the torchbearers of the culture and traditions of the land. By witnessing festivals like Bihuwe can understand the greatness and importance of agriculture.
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