Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu, is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the northeastern Indian state of Assam. It marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and usually falls in mid-April, coinciding with the arrival of spring.
Bohag Bihu symbolizes hope, renewal, and prosperity. It signifies the beginning of a new agricultural cycle and is a time of joy and optimism.
The Rongali Bihu is the most important among all the three Bihus. As it falls on the Assamese month of Bohag, it is also called the Bohag Bihu. Bohag Bihu is primarily a celebration of the arrival of spring and the agricultural season. It is a time when the fields are lush green, and nature is in full bloom.
This Bihu falls in the middle of April during the beginning of the Assamese month Bohag. It is celebrated to mark the beginning of the agricultural season. The Assamese New Year also starts with this Bihu. Rongali Bihu is celebrated by most of the races that inhabit in Assam in their colors and names. It is the most popular Bihu that celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year and the coming of spring.
The festival is celebrated over three phases - Rongali or Bohag Bihu (April), Kongali or Kati Bihu (October), and Bhogali or Magh Bihu (January). Among these, Rongali Bihu is the most important and vibrant.
Parallels of Bihu among the other races and tribes of Assam are Baisagu for Bodo Kacharis, Baikhu for Rabhas, Ali- Ai -Ligang for Misings, Bohhaggio Bishu for Deoris. Contemporaries of Magh Bihu are Nara-siga Bihu of Miring, Pushy Par. or Tushu Puja of the tea tribe of Assam. Other community festivals of Assam are Rongker of Karbis, Rajini Gabra, and Harni Gabra of Dimasa tribe. The Bohag Bihu is celebrated in different other forms in different parts of India. In Punjab, it is celebrated as ‘Baisakhi’ and likewise other places have other forms.
People clean and decorate their homes, wear new clothes (especially in traditional Assamese attire), and exchange gifts and sweets with friends and family. The lighting of earthen lamps (sakis) is also a common practice during this festival.
Goru Bihu
Goru Bihu is primarily dedicated to the worship and celebration of cattle, particularly cows and bullocks. In Assam, cattle are traditionally considered very important as they play a crucial role in agriculture and rural livelihoods.
On Goru Bihu, the cattle are given a special bath and adorned with garlands of flowers. This ritualistic bathing and feeding are believed to bring good health and prosperity to the animals. A hearty meal of gourd and brinjal is fed to the cows, while singing the Assamese traditional song (lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja/ maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru) which means eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow from year to year/your mother is small, your father is small, but you be a large one).
On Goru Bihu, the cattle are given a special bath and adorned with garlands of flowers. This ritualistic bathing and feeding are believed to bring good health and prosperity to the animals. A hearty meal of gourd and brinjal is fed to the cows, while singing the Assamese traditional song (lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja/ maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru) which means eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow from year to year/your mother is small, your father is small, but you be a large one).
In the evening when the cows return home, the old cattle bindings are cast away and new ropes are used. They are worshipped and well fed on that day. The Goru Bihu or cattle worship rites are observed on the last day of the year. The rationale behind the worshipping of cows is very simple. They are the greatest assets of a farmer because not only do they produce milk but also help plough fields, transport men, crop and so on.
he festival of Goru Bihu underscores the agricultural significance of cattle in Assam. Cattle are not just seen as working animals but are also revered for their role in sustaining rural life and agricultural activities.
With gifts of Bihuwan (Gamosa), which is traditional Assamese piece of cloth, are gifted to elders a mark of respect. Children are also given new clothes, and Husori singing begins on this day, and people visit their relatives and friend. Village elders move from household to households singing carols, also in the style of Bihu geets, called Husoris. Different Bihu pandals also organize cultural functions, which goes on for four-five days.
The third day of Rongali Bihu is the Gosai (God) Bihu. On this day, statues of Gods are worshipped seeking a prosperous year ahead. The Rongali Bihu is the most widely celebrated Bihu with much festivity. This Bihu has many significant aspects of the celebration process.
he festival of Goru Bihu underscores the agricultural significance of cattle in Assam. Cattle are not just seen as working animals but are also revered for their role in sustaining rural life and agricultural activities.
Manuh Bihu
The next day of the Rongali Bihu, which is the first day of the Assamese New Year is the Manuh 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. On this day (which generally falls on April 15th), people get cleaned up and wear new clothes. On this day, elders are shown respect and the young take blessings from them. People visit relatives and friends house to greet the New Year with joy.With gifts of Bihuwan (Gamosa), which is traditional Assamese piece of cloth, are gifted to elders a mark of respect. Children are also given new clothes, and Husori singing begins on this day, and people visit their relatives and friend. Village elders move from household to households singing carols, also in the style of Bihu geets, called Husoris. Different Bihu pandals also organize cultural functions, which goes on for four-five days.
The third day of Rongali Bihu is the Gosai (God) Bihu. On this day, statues of Gods are worshipped seeking a prosperous year ahead. The Rongali Bihu is the most widely celebrated Bihu with much festivity. This Bihu has many significant aspects of the celebration process.
Bihu Geet
Bihu Geet refers to the traditional folk songs sung during the Bihu festival in the Indian state of Assam. Bihu is the most important festival of Assam, celebrated three times a year: Rongali Bihu (in April), Kongali Bihu (in October), and Bhogali Bihu (in January).
The Bihu Geet are characterized by their vibrant and lively tunes, which are accompanied by traditional Assamese musical instruments like the dhol (drum), pepa (hornpipe), taal (cymbals), and flute. The lyrics of Bihu songs usually revolve around themes of love, nature, and the celebration of life.
Bihu Dance
Bihu dance is the folk dance of Assam. It is a joyous dance performed by both men and women in groups. The dance is characterized by brisk steps accentuated by expressive hand movements. Though both males and females dance in different formations, yet the rhythm and coordination is significant in the Bihu dance. The female Bihu dance has much variation and the dance has different stages from dancing forms to dancing in coordination with the instruments played. The stages include: freehand, twisting, dancing with the rhythm of the pepa blowing, with the kahi and the jaapi with others. There are different forms of Bihu dance like the Mising Bihu dance, Deori Bihu dance among others concerning the different sub class of Assamese culture.
The Bihu dance often portrays themes of nature, love, and community bonding. Movements include brisk footwork, hand gestures, and swaying movements that reflect the joy and vibrancy of the festival. The dance is accompanied by traditional Assamese musical instruments such as the dhol (drum), pepa (hornpipe), taal (cymbals), and flute. The rhythmic beats of these instruments set the pace for the dance.
The Bihu dance often portrays themes of nature, love, and community bonding. Movements include brisk footwork, hand gestures, and swaying movements that reflect the joy and vibrancy of the festival. The dance is accompanied by traditional Assamese musical instruments such as the dhol (drum), pepa (hornpipe), taal (cymbals), and flute. The rhythmic beats of these instruments set the pace for the dance.
Husori
Husori (হুচড়ি) is a traditional form of Assamese folk music and dance performed during the Bihu festival in Assam, India. It is an integral part of the cultural festivities, particularly during Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu). Here the village elders move from household to household singing Bihu geets and performances. The Husori groups are traditionally welcomed in the courtyard and they after the performances give blessings to the household.Mukoli Bihu
"Mukoli Bihu" refers to a concept related to the Bihu festival in Assam, India. The term "Mukoli" translates to "universal" or "all-encompassing" in Assamese. In the context of Bihu, Mukoli Bihu signifies the celebration of the festival by all communities and people, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.
During Mukoli Bihu, the festivities are open to everyone, emphasizing inclusivity and communal harmony. It reflects the essence of Bihu as a festival that transcends boundaries and brings people together in joyous celebration of nature, agriculture, and cultural heritage.
Mukoli Bihu encourages participation from all sections of society, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity among the diverse communities in Assam. It underscores the cultural ethos of the region, where festivals like Bihu serve as occasions for social cohesion and mutual respect.
In this form of Bihu, young unmarried men and women attired in traditional golden silk Muga perform the Bihu dance and sing Bihu songs in the open fields.Jeng Bihu
"Jeng Bihu" refers to the second Bihu festival celebrated in Assam, India, known as Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu. It falls in the Assamese month of Kati (mid-October), which is a time of sparse growth and scarcity between the harvesting of crops and the sowing of new seeds. This form of Bihu is performed and watch only by women. The name ‘Jeng’ is derived from the fact that in earlier time, village women used to surround their place of performance with sticks dug into the ground. This Bihu form is also called Gos tolor Bihu. Kongali Bihu is observed to worship the goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and seek her blessings for a bountiful harvest. It is also a time to protect the maturing crops from pests and natural calamities.Bihutoli Bihu
This is the urban form of Bihu where the rural festival made its transition into the modernized urban life. It was first started in Latasil field in Guwahati by the Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani 1962. It was promoted by personalities like Radha Govinda Baruah, Khagen Mahanta among others. Here the dancers perform in a makeshift elevated stage which is popularly known as Bihutoli. The performances in the Bihotoli are not confined to Bihu dances. The performances include a range of other theatrical shows; other dance forms performances, solo singer concerts and stand up comedy. the stage Bihu form have become so popular that different Bihu organizers have extended the celebrations to Bohagi Bidai, which is celebrated for bidding adieu to the festive Bohag month."Bihutoli Bihu" typically refers to the Bihu celebration in Bihutoli, which is a specific locality or area in Assam, India. Bihutoli is known for its vibrant and traditional way of celebrating Bihu, which is the most important festival in Assam. During Bihu, which is celebrated three times a year (Rongali Bihu in April, Kongali Bihu in October, and Bhogali Bihu in January), people engage in various cultural activities such as traditional dances like Bihu dance, singing traditional Bihu songs (Bihu Geet), and preparing traditional Assamese delicacies.
The celebrations in Bihutoli may include community gatherings, competitions, cultural shows, and feasting. People wear traditional Assamese attire like Mekhela Chador (for women) and Gamosa (for both men and women) during these celebrations. Bihutoli Bihu, like Bihu celebrations in other parts of Assam, fosters a sense of community spirit and cultural pride among the people.
Instruments Used in Bihu
Bihu celebration is insignificant to the traditional instruments of Assam. There are a variety of instruments which are used during Bihu performances, Bihu geets and dances. Some of them are:
Dhol:
The Dhol is an important instrument of Assamese culture. It is a percussion instrument similar to a drum. The Dhol is made of a wooden barrel. It is played with a stick and the palm on each side. The beat of the Dhol is the life of the Assamese culture. A beat from the Dhol makes one swirl and dance to the rhythmic flow.
Taal:
It is a small cymbal instrument. There are different types of Taal.
Pepa:
Pepa is a flute-like musical instrument used in Bihu. It is a small stem capped with buffalo horn. The sound of the Pepa is striking and mesmerizing.
Other instruments used are the Toka, Gagana, Xutuli and Baanhi (flute).
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Dhol:
The Dhol is an important instrument of Assamese culture. It is a percussion instrument similar to a drum. The Dhol is made of a wooden barrel. It is played with a stick and the palm on each side. The beat of the Dhol is the life of the Assamese culture. A beat from the Dhol makes one swirl and dance to the rhythmic flow.
Taal:
It is a small cymbal instrument. There are different types of Taal.
Pepa:
Pepa is a flute-like musical instrument used in Bihu. It is a small stem capped with buffalo horn. The sound of the Pepa is striking and mesmerizing.
Other instruments used are the Toka, Gagana, Xutuli and Baanhi (flute).
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