Bihu: Bihu, the Unifying Festival of Assam  

By Pradip Kumar Sarmah  

Bihu: Bihu, the Unifying Festival of Assam  

Assam is the exotic land of hills, rivers and valleys. From Mansarovar the Brahmaputra flows through Assam and together with its tributaries, it is described as Assam's nervous system.

Nearly 80 per cent of the people of Assam are dependent on agriculture and spontaneous celebration of festivities is associated with the beginning and end of the harvest season. Bihu from the Sanskrit Vishu, is the harvest festival of Assam and is celebrated thrice in a year. The festival at the beginning of the spring season is Bohag Bihu, associated with the Vernal equinox in Chaitra Sankranti. The Kati Bihu is associated with the Autumnal equinox in Ashwina Sankranti.

People often call the Kati Bihu as Kangali Bihu as there is nothing much to eat during that period. People welcome budding paddy crops. The Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu associated with the winter solstice is celebrated with food and drinks after harvest, in Pausa Sankranti.

The advent of spring is synchronised with the new year and the Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is celebrated. The Brahmaputra valley is green and cuckoos sing in the woods. Fragrant flowers and orchids bloom. People sing and dance to the rhythm of the Dhol, Pepa and Gagana, evoking fertility, romance, devotion, cattle and human welfare in a month-long celebration. Domestic animals and family members bathe with raw turmeric paste, horse bean and mustard oil. New clothes are worn. Delicious dishes are prepared and offered to cattle, man and God. Teel Pitha is a cake prepared from dry Bora rice powder and sesame (til).

Bihu songs express the will and desire of the people in an unbroken and integrated tradition. Romance is in the air as the young gather in open fields or under the peepal tree, exchanging feelings of youthful joy. "God created the world first/ Then created the creatures,/ That same God made love/ Why should not we?"

From the weaving stand, the womenfolk encourage and inspire their male counterparts to fight enemies. "I shall weave 'Gamocha' darling/ You will take part in Bihu,/ Shall I weave 'Riha' of silk darling/ As you will drive out the enemy?" The Hussori songs are linked with the blessings for prosperity and peace throughout the year.

Bihu dances have a fixed pattern and vigorously rhythmic expressions. The ceremony of ensuring a bountiful harvest is performed by women. It is believed that the barren tree bears fruit if a Mekhela or lower garment of woman is hung around it.

The Bihu of Kacharis is called Baisagu. They worship Bathou or Mahadeva. The 'Wing' festival of Adis is celebrated on the first Wednesday of Phalgun. Ali Ai Ligang of the Mising is a Bihu utsav. Laku of the Wangshu Nagas, Arem of Kukis and Baithu of Rabhas are festivals of the same season.

Though Bihu has been celebrated since pre-historic times, only in the 18th century it came to the courtyard of the general and elite classes. The celebration of Rongali Bihu rose to become a state festival during the Ahom rule whose capital base was at Rangpur, now known as Sivasagar.

With changing social development and industrialisation, Rongali Bihu moved from open fields and courtyards to the stage. As Assam is the eastern frontier where the sun rises first, the Bihu is the morning shine of the vast cultural sky of India. It has brought together people of different origin, religion, caste and creed living in Assam through its emotional appeal and affinity to the mother earth. Bihu is an influencing factor of social integration and the source of unity in the diverse heritage of compo-site Indian familyhood.

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See also: Bihu, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)