Bohag Bihu is the national festival of Assamese as it
marks the beginning of the New Year. Rituals and customary practices of
Bohag Bihu starts from April 13. There are three forms of a Bihu
festival namely
Bohag Bihu or
Rongali Bihu (in the
middle of April),
Magh Bihu or
Bhogali Bihu (middle of
January) and
Kaati Bihu or
Kongali Bihu (in October/
November).
Bohag Bihu is the most important day of all the three Bihu festivals.
This day begins with the sowing of seeds, Kaati Bihu marks the complete
process of sowing and transplanting of paddies, and the Magh Bihu marks
the end of the harvesting period.
Bohag Bihu
Bohag Bihu reflects the coming of spring and usually falls on April 15
every year. It is celebrated with distinctive Bihu dances. People are in
full form and dance on various Bihu geets called husuris. This festival
lasts for several days. People wear new and traditional clothes like
dhoti, gamocha and saadar mekhela.
Bohag Bihu Celebrations
The first day of Bohag Bihu is called
Goru Bihu or
Cow
Festival. Cow being the holy Hindu animal is washed, bedecked and
worshiped on this day. On the eve of Bohag Bihu, the womenfolk clean
clothes and prepare special Bihu delicacies like 'Chira' & 'Pitha'
while men collect necessary items like 'Tara Pogha' (ropes for the
cattle). This day is followed by
Manuh (human) Bihu on April 15,
the New Year Day on which homage is paid to elders and relatives. The
next day after this is called vGosain Bihu. On this day religious
activities take place.
Bohag Bihu is a dance festival. Groups of boys and girls beat drums and
perform their traditional dance. Bihu fairs are organised to perform
Bihu songs, theatrical performances and dance. Best woman dancer is
awarded the title of
Bihu Kunwori. Bihu festival has become such
a major festival that even books, audio and video cassettes have come up
in large numbers narrating the festival events.
