Gunin Borah
(The writer is the HOD of Geography at Biswanath College, Chariali. He can be reached at Email ID: borah.gunin@gmail.com )
Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is the biggest festival celebrated in the North-Eastern states of Assam and it marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. The word 'Bihu' is derived from the Sanskrit word Bishu, meaning 'to ask blessings and prosperity from the Gods' before the onset of the harvest season. The festival starts in mid-April and goes for a seven days celebration. The observance, which promotes the celebration of ethnic diversity, is essentially a harvest festival and also aims to unite different native communities of Assam. The heritage of Bihu festivals including rituals, music, dance, games, traditional cuisines, typical sweets, and festivities is extensive.
The people living in Assam are multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-religious. The ethnic groups include Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan, Tai-Ahom, Kuki-chin, Dravidian, tea garden labour, Muslim, and Bengali. The majority of them celebrate these festivals. Thus, the Bihu festivals are by and large influenced by the culture of all the ethnic groups of Assamese society. Of course, a few ethnic groups of Assam also celebrate similar festivals in the names of their ethnic languages, by following specific activities and rituals.
The celebration of Bohag Bihu started among the Ahoms on the day of Garu Bihu (The first day of Bihu) and continues for seven days. The Ahoms follow some of their rites and rituals in this celebration. They prepare traditional pitha-jalpan for Bihu and eat pork and hundreds of vegetables from their garden. In Bihu husori, Bihu nam is performed with drum, pepa, gagana among houses within seven days of Bihu. Ahoms usually worship their forefathers in Bohag Bihu. According to a myth prevailing among the Ahoms, if they are not able to worship and give offerings to their forefathers, it is evil for their families. By now the tradition of the Ahoms during the Bihu did not continue as it had in the past.
The rituals of the Bohag Bihu celebration vary from tribe to tribe in different parts of the state. Bohag Bihu is known as Baisagu among the Bodo Kachari of the state. Bodo Kachari dedicated the seven days of Bihu differently. The first day is magon (cow Bihu), the second-day mansoi domahi (Manuh Bihu) and the third day is saima (dog Bihu). They traditionally perform some rituals and customs, which are different from the others. On an opening day, all cattle are given paddy to eat and then taken to the nearest river or tank for a bath. The horns are smeared with oil, ashes and rice flour are applied in patches to the bodies of the cattle. On the second day, the Bodo Kachari observe Bathai Puja in every house along with the worship of their forefathers. Merrymaking and dance are an integral part of this Bodo festival and all are welcome to join in irrespective of age and sex. The 'Bagurumba' dance is typically performed during this festival and is said to be the most attractive dance of the Bodo community. The Bodo people also perform Husori from house to house during the time of Bohag Bihu.
Deuris are another ethnic group occupied in the Upper North Bank plain in the district of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Biswanath districts. Among the Deuris, Bohag Bihu is known as Bohagiya or Bisu along with the different parts of Assam. Bisu is closely related to the same religious rites and rituals. They start their Bihu on the first Wednesday of Bohag months by sacrificing animals and Birds at gosainisal. Before the commencement of Bisu, Deuris also conduct ghardew puja in every household by giving tribute to their respective Gods. On the day of Goru Bihu, Deuris wear new clothes among the boys, girls and village people. The Deuri people perform Husori like other ethnic groups, which started from gosainis. On the weekend of the festival, they close the celebration of Bihu after completing Husori by worshipping at gosainisal.
The Missing people living in the riverine plains of Assam, perform Bohag Bihu with great enthusiasm and merriment. Missing people don't give much importance to rituals and traditions during the time of Bohag Bihu like other tribes. They perform 'husori' from house to house with songs and dances from the day of garu Bihu. It is compulsory for all young girls and boys in the Missing society to join in the 'husori'. The householders show high respect to the Husori team by giving a tray full of betel nuts, leaves and money. They also offer Apong to the Bihu team after their performance.
The Rabha people also observe Bohag Bihu in their traditional manner for three days which is known as 'baikhu'. On An opening day, Rabha people observe garu bihu with their traditional customs and rituals. On the next day, they observe Bisuwa with worship to their ancestors, Gods and Goddesses.
Rongker is an annual springtime festival of merriment observed by the Karbis of Assam. Associated with the welfare of the village and their harvest it is observed among the community. The festival does not have any specific time although it is usually observed at the beginning of the New Year of the Assamese calendar in April. This festival is performed only by the menfolk and the females are excluded from it. During the festival, all agricultural activity comes to a halt in the village. The festival lasts for three days. The festival is divided into four major stages, which are celebrated over days of rituals, animal sacrifices, merriment and feasting.
The Moran community also observes uruka, goru bihu, and manuh bihu starting the first Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Bohag month. They observe garu Bihu following their traditional rites and rituals, which are to some extent different from other tribes. The Moran community performs their Husori according to the permission of their elders. They observe 'bormagu' in the middle of the Bohag Bihu celebration. They used to eat pitha, rice-beer, hundred and one vegetables during the day of manuh bihu.
The Tiwas also celebrate their spring festivals 'baishak-bisu' for a week. Bihu festivals begin on Wednesday in the Tiwa community. The prayer offerings are made to 'bagh-raja' (God of the tiger), Mahadev (Siva) and Kubre (god of paddy and cultivation). Tiwas observed the first day of Bihu for the cattle. The Tiwas reside on plains singing 'husori' in the traditional manner of Assamese society.
The Tea-community people are distributed all over Assam near the side of the tea gardens and have their traditional spring festival. They have been observing the traditional spring festival, which is known as 'Chaitra parab' or 'charak puja'. They observe their festivals among themselves with religious rites and rituals for two days in the month of 'chaitra'. The people sing and dance from home to home and wish a happy and peaceful life for every household during the time of this spring festival.
Assam is the land of fairs and festivals, which is characterized by the spirit of unity and solidarity of its diverse ethnic groups. The festival of Bohag Bihu holds a lot of significance for the Assamese people and the farming community of Assam. Farmers of all communities express gratitude and thanks to God for a good harvesting season and pray for better crops in the upcoming season.