BIHU FESTIVAL

Venue : Assam, India.

Celebrated by : All Assamese.

Bihu denotes a set of three different cultural festivals of Assam. Though they owe their origins to ancient rites and practices they have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus in the recent decades. Bihu is also used to imply Bihu dance and Bihu folk songs. The Bihus are the national festivals of Assam. The most important festivals of Assam are the Bihus, celebrated with fun and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. Leaving behind their daily routines, the people gather together to enjoy the festivals which are packed with joy and excitement. The three Bihu festivals are – the Rangali(or Bohag) Bihu Festival, celebrated in Spring(mid April); the Bhogali Bihu, celebrated in Winter(mid January) and the Kati Bihu, held in Autum(mid- October). Games are also played by youngsters on Bihu festivals.

Rangali Bihu

Time : Celebrated in Spring(mid April)

Duration : 07 Days.

Rongali Bihu (mid-April, also called Bohag Bihu), the most popular Bihu celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 15) and the coming of Spring. This marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar and is also observed in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu though called by different names. It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. The farmers prepare the fields for cultivation of paddy and there is a feeling of joy around. The women make pitha, larus (traditional food made of rice and coconut) and Jolpan which gives the real essence of the season. The first day of the bihu is called goru bihu or cow bihu, where the cows are washed and worshipped, which falls on the last day of the previous year, usually on April 14. This is followed by manuh (human) bihu on April 15, the New Year Day. This is the day of getting cleaned up, wearing new cloths and celebrating and getting ready for the new year with fresh vigor. The third day is Gosai (Gods) bihu; statues of Gods, worshiped in all households are cleaned and worshiped asking for a smooth new year. The folk songs associated with the Bohag Bihu are called Bihugeets or Bihu songs. The form of celebration and rites vary among different demographic groups. Rongali Bihu is also a fertility festival, where the bihu dance with its sensous movements using the hips, arms, etc., by the young women call out to celebrate their fertility. In this aspect, the bihu dance can also be called a mating ritual by the young men and women.

Bihu dance and Bihu songs are an integral part of the Bihu festival. Bihu dance is synonymous to Assam and is a dance of joy. Both men and women perform the dance with great enthusiasm which reflects in their facial expressions and body movements. Variations are seen in the dance depending on the tribes it belongs to. The dance is coupled with Bihu songs which reflects the folk poetry touching the themes like love, daily life and new year.