Bihu
Bihu is a popular festival celebrated in Assam which is largely based on Agriculture. It can be broadly divided into three categories – Bohag Bihu, Kaati Bihu, and Magh Bihu.
In the olden times, ‘Bihu’ was not a name given to the cyclic events. Men propitiated the sun, fire, earth, water etc. so that the harvest be good.
With the passage of time, the religion aspect dimmed and gave way to gaiety and enjoyment with it. It was from the time of Ahom kings that Bihu got its prevalent shape and form.
MAGH BIHU
Traditional AssamesePithas
Magh Bihu is observed to celebrate the harvesting of grains. It is usually held on the 14th and 15th of January (1st and 2nd Magh of Assamese calendar).
The first day is called Uruka when people build a temporary and have a feast. Four bamboo rods are placed and then a Meji is built in the shape of a temple, conical shape.
In the early hours of the next day, Meji is lightened and people pay their respect and the Bihu is officially started. The ashes of the burnt Meji is scattered over the fields, for it is believed that doing so would increase the facility of the soil.
Delicacies like pithas are served together with jalpan.
BOHAG BIHU
Rongali Bihu
Bohag Bihu augurs the wish for a good harvest because this is the time when farmers starts sowing. It is observed from the last month of the Assamese calendar Chata (called Sankranti).
Earlier Bohag Bihu was celebrated for 7 days together and each day had a different name like Goru Bihu (for cows), Manuh Bihu (for mankind), Tator Bihu (for loon), Gossain Bihu (for Gods), Nangalor Bihu (for plough), and Chera Bihu (the concluding days of Bihu).
Bohag Bihu is the season of fettered greenery with early monsoon and with nature clad with beautiful colors.
On the day of Manuh Bihu, people visit relatives and exchange Gamosa also known as Bihuwan. It is a symbol of dignity in Assamese society.
Husori which is an integral part of Bohag Bihu is a team of men and women, who go and sing Bihu songs at the houses of every person in the village.
The Husori Dol (team) is generally presented with Seleg Chadar, Gamusa and a silver coin or so. It is a time-honored custom to offer Tamul – Paan or betel nuts to the Husori Dol in Bohag Bihu.
Bihu folk dance is performed by both men and women. The songs sung are mostly folk tune based and related to lone. Games like buffalo fight, cockfight, arm wrestling are popular.
Banisagu is the Bodo version of Bogah Bihu. This famous festival of color and mith is the most cherished festival of Bodo people.
KATI BIHU
Kaati Bihu is celebrated in the month of Kaati (7th month of the Assamese calendar) whereby the farmer gets ready to welcome Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
It is done by lighting Sakis (earthen lamps) under the Tulsi (black Basil) plant. Kaati Bihu is the time when the greenery is empty hence it is also known as Kangali Bihu. The granary is also adorned with an earthen lamp so as to augur a full granary throughout the coming months.
There is another custom of lighting an earthen lamp on a long shiver of bamboos which is also called as Akash Banti. It is belief that it is done to ease the departed ones to the other world.
