The Festival Of Assam
Bihu is a festival celebrated in Assam. There are basically three types of Bihu - Rongali Bihu or Bohaag Bihu, Kati Bihu or Kongaali Bihu and Magh Bihu or Bhogaali Bihu. The Bihu festival signifies a celebration of farming, especially paddy. For example, Rongaali Bihu marks the beginning of sowing of seeds, the Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplantation of the saplings and finally Magh Bihu marks the advent of the harvest period. Of the three Bihus, Rongaali Bihu is the most important and is celebrated in the month of April, marking the beginning of Assamese New Year. This festival coincides with the advent of the spring season and people celebrate it by indulging in the traditional Bihu dance and singing Bihu songs. The folk songs associated with Rongaali Bihu symbolize love and romance among the village youth and the dames. The Bihu dance is accompanied with traditional Assamese instruments like the Dhol, Pepa, Gagana, Toka . Initially Bihu dances used to take place in village fields or courtyards, where the youth used to go from house to house singing Bihu songs, trying to woo their loved ones. But today, the celebrations have taken a modern turn and often these dances are now held formally in community halls, where people gather to witness Bihu celebrations.
Kati Bihu is a quieter form of Bihu which is held in the middle of October. During this event, earthen lamps (diyas) are lit in the paddy fields and prayers are offered for the success of the crops. Bhogaali Bihu is celebrated in January, that is immediately after the paddy has been harvested. This Bihu is marked by a feast held at night in temporary huts that have been erected especially for this purpose. People also greet relatives and friends to convey and exchange Bihu greetings. Traditional snacks are also exchanged on a large scale during this Bihu.
Rongali Utsav
Come April, and for the numerous communities, tribes and sub-tribes inhabiting the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra it's time to welcome the onset of the agricultural season, a celebration of the vibrant springtime fertility cult. The Rongali Utsav festival is celebrated annually at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati.
Bihu is the most important festival of Assam. It is celebrated with joy and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. Bihu can be broadly divided into three categories: Bohag Bihu which augurs the wish for a good harvest because this is the time when farmers start sowing, Kaati Bihu which is observed to mark the cutting and binding of grains and Magh Bihu which marks the season of harvesting of grains.
Baishagu
Famous for its myriad colours and merriment, 'Baishagu' is generally celebrated by the Bodo Kacharis during mid April. It is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe. The Bodos also celebrate it as a springtime festival at the advent of the new year.
The first day begins with worship of the cow. The next day which synchronises with the first day of the month of 'Bohag' of the Assamese almanac, the actual merriment begins with the young people of each household reverentialy bowing down to their parents and elders. The supreme deity 'Bathou' or Lord Shiva is worshipped during the festival by offering chicken and rice beer. In the Baishagu dance there is no age or sex bar, all are welcome to join in. The traditional musical instruments that are used in this dance festival are 'Khum' (drum), 'Jotha' (Manjari), 'Khawbang' (Taal), 'Gogona' (Mouth-organ) and 'Siphung' (Flute) etc. It is also customary at the time of closure of the Baishagu festival to offer community prayers at a particular place called 'Garjasali'.
Rajini Gabra & Harni Gabra
The annual festival of the colourful Dimasa tribe. It is exclusively a socio-religious festival which is generally observed before starting a new cultivation. Rajini Gabra is celebrated during day time. The 'Kunang' or the village headman propitiates the family deity by closing the village gate on the worship date. On the same night in a function called 'Harni Gabra', the presiding deity is worshipped for the protection and welfare of the people.
It is very interesting to note that during the Rajini Gabra and Hami Gabra festival if any outsider enters the village inspite off seeing the closed gate, the entire function is considered to be spoilt. The intruders then have to bear the total cost for holding the festival anew.
Baikho
There is another colourful tribe in Assam, known as Rabhas. Although the Rabha community does not have any national festival of their own, the different groups celebrate their own festivals. The 'Baikho' or the Springtime festival is only celebrated to propitiate the goddess of wealth 'Baikho'. But unfortunately the pomp and grandeur of Baikho are not to be seen nowadays in the villages.
Jonbeel Mela
This spectacular fair(mela) is held every year during winter at Jonbeel of Jagiroad, a lesser known township only 32 kms from Guwahati. A few days before the mela, tribes like the Tiwas, Karbis, Khasis, Jaintias from the Meghalaya hills come down with their various products for this mela. On the occasion of the 'mela' a big bazar is held here where these tribes exchange thier products with local people in barter system which is very rare in a civilized modern society.
Before the 'mela' they perform fire worship or agni puja for the well being of mankind. It is to be noted that during this mela the 'govaraja' or the king of the Tiwa trbe along with his courtiers visit this mela and collect taxes from his subjects. The significant point of this mela is its theme of harmony and brotherhood amongst various tribes and communities. During the 'mela' these communities perform their traditional dances and music to celebrate the mela in a befitting manner.
