Know about bihu
Assam is quite a state full of colors and different types of culture. There are whole lots of tribes of people inhabiting in this country. With them comes the variant in festivals. But the core festival of Assam celebrated by the Assamese and also all other people living in Assam is Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu. We will be giving you a detailed article on this bihu.
About Rongali Bihu
Bihu is one of the most important festivals in Assam. Although there are three types of Bihu, the Bohag/Rongali Bihu is taken to be the prime one. This festival is celebrated in the spring season or Bohag that is marked as the first month in the Assamese calendar and April as per English calendar. It is to celebrate New Year in Assam as well as the spring season.
Everything blooms in this season and there is a wave of happiness among all the people of Assam. Let’s get to know how it is celebrated.
How is it celebrated?
- Raati (Night) Bihu – This festival is the one which is started from the first day in the month of Cheitra and continued till the day of Uruka. The women mostly celebrate this day under an ancient tree with illuminated torches and the men would play some local instruments to give a beat to the women to dance upon.
- Sot Bihu – This is marked on the second day of Cheitra where the girls and boys dance at the outdoor location or fields, wearing their traditional dresses to celebrate Bihu. This is also known as Bali Husori.
- Ghor Bakori – This is the part where prayers are done until the day of Uruka.
- Goru (cow) bihu – It is to pay respect to livestock. Cows are a major source of income (for their milk and manure) as well.as respect in the country. This particular day is to give love and respect to the cows. The cows are bathed with raw turmeric paste and black gram paste ( maah-halodhi) and also digholoti leaves. Then they are given to eat vegetables . The vegetables include Brinjal (bengena) and Gourd (laau). After that a song is sung which is-
“Dighloti dighal paat,
maakhi marru jaat jaat;
lau khaa bengena khaa,
bosore bosore bardhi jaa,
maare haru baapere horu toi hobi bor bor goru” .
If we roughly translate it then it would be something like: “With the herbs and alsi leaves of dighloti,
we drive away the flies that disturbs you; we hope you accept our offering of brinjals and gourds,
and continue to grow every year; and may you outgrow your parents and live as long as possible “.
- Manuh (Man) bihu – This is the day to celebrate mankind. That is why Manuh ( Man) bihu! This day falls on the first day of Baisakh and on this day all the people bathe with Maah-halodhi( Black gram and Turmeric paste). Put on new clothes and then pray infront of God to give them a healthy yet prosperous new year. The elder ones are given respect by the younger ones by providing a Gamosha(a traditional piece of cloth) .
- Kutum (kin) bihu – On this day, all the families visits each other’s friend’s or relatives and invites them over to their place for Jalpan(breakfast or tea) .
- Mela or Mukoli Bihu – this is the day where everyone gathers in a field to dance and sing to the lovely beats of bihu played by the men with various instruments like dhol, pepa , etc. Also there are fairs where Various kind of activities can be done, different shows or functions, competition etc. Are held.
- Chera Bihu – the last or fourth day of bihu where the Rongali bihu is wrapped up by exchanging pithas ( traditional sweets and snacks). Also people make future resolutions about it.
So , this is how Bohag bihu is celebrated. A total amount of fun, love, respect and colors to celebrate upon. Life is short so let’s not waste it complaining but instead celebrating. Happy Spring!!!!
