Culture - - Posted on October, 5 at 4:53 pm
Bihu
Celebrated in Assam, Bihu comes thrice a year as it marks the change of the seasons. Bohag Bihu, Kangali Bihu and Magh Bihu fall approximately in the months of April, October and January.
Bohag Bihu
Bohag Bihu, the most festive of all Bihus is Assamese New Year. It is celebrated by dancing and singing for almost a week or more. The songs have an evident erotic content, which is believed to arouse the earth for an increased crop production. Nowadays, young men and women from different localities dance in the center of the town or the village. The women weave their own Gamcha, a decorated towel with intricate design and pray to Krishna to bless their households with happiness and wealth.
The festival starts with Goru Bihu, when cattle is the focus of rituals. Cows are washed, their horns and hoofs are decorated with colours and flowers. All the cows are taken in procession through the village, accompanied by a troupe of musicians. The cows are given a ritual bath in the village pond and let loose for one day. In the evening the cows are tied with new ropes. Next day is Manuh Bihu, a day for dance and celebration. Singing troupes visit all the houses and perform the Bihu dance. Traditional sweets made of jaggery, parched rice and curds are prepared. Third day called Gosai Bihu is kept aside for worship of various deities. Elders are presented a Gamcha as a mark of respect and the festival ends with blessings and good wishes from elders and the god.
Kati Bihu
Kangali Bihu or Kati Bihu is not a time for merriment. This is a Bihu of prayer and meditation. It falls in the month of Kartika. There is no harvest, granaries are empty and farmers prepare for sowing seeds for the winter crop and thus there isn’t much money to be spent on the festivities. The people offer prayers for a bountiful crop and to bless the family and livestock with health, wealth and strength.
People observe a ritual fast and worship the Tulasi plant. Earthern lamps are lit and kept in front of the plant on a banana leaf. Farmers chant mantras waving a stick over the paddy fields. This is believed to offer protection from rodents, birds and insects. In the evening people visit each others home wishing for a bumper harvest.
Magha Bihu
Magha Bihu coincides with Makar Sankranti, which commemorates the end of the winter paddy harvest. Fasts and prayers are observed on the night before. Thatched pavilions are erected all over the countryside and night vigil is kept by youngsters by singing, dancing and chatting. The pavilions are set ablaze at dawn to herald the festive day.
It is also known as Bhogali Bihu suggesting feasting and merriment. Special meat and fish dishes are prepared for the festival. Bullfights is the biggest attraction of the celebrations. Farmers pray to earth and sun and apply sandalwood paste or kumkum on their implements in reverence. The festival is concluded with a feast at night.
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