Bihu Festival, a cultural conglomeration: An overview

1.1-Preface
Bihu is a seasonal festival of Assam & the assamese people which is a part of their soul. The
word “Bihu” derives its origin from Vedic/Sanskrit word “bishubat” or “bishubon”- as the
intellectuals believe. The literary meaning of the word “ bishubat”or “ bishubon” means the time
when day & night are equal or the middle of the duration of a year long programme of yagya or
satra. Others believed that nomenclature “Bihu” was derived from Rabha word “Baykhu”.
In Assam, in a calendar year, Bihu Is celebrated three times. It starts with time corresponding to
the sowing of crops in the first month of assamese calendar (called Bohag Bihu). It starts when
duration of day & night is equal in the mid of April- Bohag Bihu, also called Rangali Bihu.
Likewise, in autumn when the field & crops are fully blooming –prayers are offered and
wellbeing of the crops are prayed for to the almighty,marking the celebration of “ Kati Bihu” or
also called as “Kangali Bihu” .Then, corresponding with Makar Sankranti – Indian festival when
the crops are ripe and ready to be cut in mid January is celebrated “Magh Bihu” or “Bhogali
bihu” Since the bihu festivities are primarily associated with people who are farmers and earn
their livelihood by engaging themselves in agricultural works – so Bihu is considered as a
festival of farmers because this is concerned with pre & post harvesting as well as the harvesting
season. Associated with the Bihu festivities are the rich culture &different beliefs along with
song, dance & use of traditional instruments(dhol,pepa).
1.2 Bihu and other festivities corresponding with Bihu of NE India
Assam is a land where people of different race, religion,culture, community live together.In this
perspective it would be prudent to state that bihu in different forms is celebrated by different
ethnic/ tribal groups of north eastas per time of the year. In Assam as per its geographical
division of upper, middle or central & lower Assam – in all many socio- cultural groups are
associated with bihu festivities. If we look into different tribal groups of Assam from a broader
perspective we will find that each & every group be it
ahom,turung,aaiton,chutia,phake,khamti,motok-moran, mising, deuri, sonowal-thengal,
kosari,koch- rajbongshi, hajong, boro-kosari, Rabha, garo, Karbi,dimasa, tiwa(Lalung),etc
celebrate their own form of festival corresponding with bihu. Bodos say Magh Bihu as
“Domasi”& Bohag Bihu as “Baichagu”. On the second month of Assamese calendar(May
June)on the day of full moon – Rabha tribe people celebrate “Byakho” where they sing and
perform dancing of a special kind called “Chatar”.Likewise in the first Wednesday of phagun
month (penultimate month of assamese calendar) corresponding with the month of Feb-Mar, the
mising tribe celebrate their main festival “Ali- Aye- Ligang” in which they perform different
forms of bihu in their own forms likehusori bihu, bihu naam there. Dimasa tribe celebrate
“Bushu” during Magh Sankranti in which the young men & women sing and dance to the tune of
romantic songs.Among Karbis the inhabitants of Karbi Anglong of assam,they celebrate a
festival called “Chorboy”. Likewise Hajong “Lebatana” festival in which they sing & dance.
Tiwas celebrate Lalilang & Lalihilali. Deuri’s celebrate Hurai Rongali. Sonowal Kachari’s
celebrate “haydong husuri”.In addition to it, motak moran tribes celebrate bihu under a
tree where they build a temporary shelter & perform Bihu naam & other customs.Tai Ahom
celebrate “seyngnang bihu” (for women of reproductive age). Abors, they celebrate festival
similar to bihu called “Uuing” or “Aran”.Arunachalis celebrate “Luku” festival. Tangsa people
celebrate “Sambunmor” festival where they sing “Bihausi song. Likewise, in Kameng region of
Arunachal Pradesh farmers celebrate agricultural festival “Loche”Other tribes of Arunachal
Pradesh like aaptani celebrate “Molco”, Dofler celebrate chirom-malo- chochom, lakhercelebrate
pokhupila, garos celebrate rongchugula &uangala festival- all these festivals are ultimately
linked to farming & agricultural practices. Likewise in Mizoram, Kukis before beginning their
cultivation/ farming celebrate“Arem” festival. They also celebrate “chap- char-kut” in
Which they pray for good outcome of crops. In Manipur,both pre & post harvesting singing &
dancing alongwith rich culinary delicacies marks the festival of “Nangchungba”. It is worth
mentioning that festivities like Bihu of Assam & allied festivals of Northeast eastablishes
harmony & brotherhood amongst different groups of people.
1.3 Festivities celebrated in India & around the world at the time of Bihu celebration
As north eastern part of India (particularly Assam) celebrates Bihu ,same time of the year in
other parts of India too festival galore takes centrestage of human lives like Baisakhi of Punjab,
Vishu amongst Khach of Himachal & Nairs of south India. Chakmas residing in Aarakan & in
Chittagong of Bangladesh celebrate “Bishu”- their main festival where both men & women visit
“Gour Maa” mandir & take blessings from the deity. In Chattisgarh “Bonvojan”& “Dodariya”
are celebrated around the same time as Bihu.In addition, new year festivities in China are
celebrated around same time which people of China celebrate with pomp & gaiety.
1.4: Conclusion
The prime cultural extravaganza of Assam called “Bihu” & its resemblance to other festivals of
north east India have a great impact on peoples lives in respect of socio- cultural field alongwith
traditions & rituals that are part of peoples lives in this part of the world ,so in thiscontext Bihu is
rightly called as the prime festival of the people of Assam which ushers in a harmony
,peace,brotherhood amongst different kinds of people living in the society.

Dr. Arijit Mazumdar

PGT
Department of Physiology,
Gauhati Medical College.