Traditiol fervour and gaiety mark Busu celebration in Dima Hasao

From a Correspondent

Haflong, Jan 28: Bishu or Busu, one of the major festivals of the Dimasasm is being celebrated throughout the district of Dima Hasao with great enthusiasm and traditiol fervour from Saturday.

 At Dibarai village of Haflong, Busu is being celebrated for two days starting from Saturday. This year ‘Hangsaomanouba’, the biggest form of Busu is being celebrated at some places like Samparidisa and Gunjung from January 30 and on January 31, the central Busu will be organized at Haflong town.

 Busu is one of most important and biggest festivals celebrated by the Dimasa people. ‘Busu’ means the festival of eating newly grown autuml rice, and so it can be considered as the harvesting festival too, which mirrors the rich culture and tradition of the Dimasa community.

Dimasa people observe Busu by arranging feasts and various cultural functions. Busu is celebrated in three different ways, mely Jidab, Surem, and Hangsaomanouba. Jidab is the simplest form of Busu. Surem is a celebration which lasts for three nights. Surem Busu is celebrated frequently whereas Hangsaomanoba is celebrated occasiolly as it requires large amount of money and manpower. Generally, the expenses of the Busu are borne by the villagers. There is a custom in Dimasa community where the people collectively help others in cultivation without taking wages for the work. But they collect rice or paddy after harvesting to celebrate Busu.

When the community decides to celebrate Hangsaomaoba, a separate plot of land is cultivated and from which the expenses for the celebration are taken. The Surem Busu lasts for three days while the Hangsaomaoba lasts for seven days. Both should end either on Tuesday or Saturday as these days are considered to be auspicious by the Dimasa Community.

On Bususataiba, the first day of the Busu, meat is distributed to every household. On Busuma, the second day, the boys with older men sing Bagaoba while welcoming the guests. The Kung, village headman, sings a devotiol song, seeking blessings on behalf of the villagers from Lord Siva, so that the villagers can spend the festive days with joy and merry-making. Traditiol games and sports are also organized during the Busu.

The boys and girls perform dances and sing songs during these days. They beat drums called Khram, play pipes called murri, flutes called supin and Khram dubung. Playing of murri should start from the beginning of Busu and continue till the last day of the festival. Judima (rice beer) pork, chicken and fish are enjoyed during the Busu. The Busu symbolizes the unity and coexistence among the people of Dima Hasao.