MAGH BIHU OR MAGHOR DOMAHI

1 MARKS QUESTIONS ANSWERS :

1. In which month Magh Bihu is celebrated?

Ans: Magh Bihu is celebrated in the month of Magh (January).

2. What is the other name of Magh Bihu?

Ans: The other name of Magh Bihu is - Bhogali Bihu.

Ans : What is the night before Magh Bihu is called?

Ans: The night before Magh Bihu is called - Uruka.

4. What do the temple-shaped structures call?

Ans: The temple-shaped structures call as Meji.

5. What do the hut-like structures call?

Ans: The hut-like structures call as Bhelaghar.

6. In which month Kati Bihu is celebrated?

Ans: Kati Bihu is celebrated in the month of October.

7. What is the other name of Kati Bihu?

Ans: The other name of Kati Bihu is - Kongali Bihu.

8. Which tree is planted during Kati Bihu?

Ans: Tulsi plant is planted during Kati Bihu.

9. Which bihu is closely associated with a fire ceremony?

Ans:- A fire ceremony is closely associated with Magh Bihu.

10. In which part of Assam does Magh Bihu have a stronger hold ?

Ans:-Magh Bihu, the post harvest winter festival seems to have a stronger hold on people of
lower Assam, not excluding the tribals .

11. What does the term "Domahi" mean?

Ans:-The term "Domahi" means the junction of two months.

12. What is the Bihu eve also known as?

Ans:- The Bihu eve is also known as Uruka .

13. When does the magh bihu held in Assam?

Ans:-The magh bihu festival helds in post harvest winter.

14. In which season is the kati bihu celebrated ?

Ans :- Kati bihu is celebrated in autumn season.

15. What is the Tulasi plant symbolic of ?

Ans:-The Tulasi plant is symbolic of Vrinda, one of the devotees of Krishna.

16. Who is the chief god of the Kacharis ?

Ans:-Bathou is the chief god of the Kacharis .

2 MARKS QUESTIONS ANSWERS :

1. What are the other names of Bohag bihu ,Kati bihu and Magh bihu?

Ans:- The other name of Bohag bihu is Rangali Bihu or Cheering bihu, the other name of Kati
Bihu is Kongali Bihu and the other name of Magh bihu is bhogali bihu or the bihu of enjoyment.

2. What is Uruka?

Ans:- Uruka is the bihu eve. It is the previous day of every bihu. In this day, the women folk get
ready for the next day with chira, pitha, laru,curd ,etc. In the same day, fuel has to be gathered,
fish has to be got from ponds, streams and if possible some meat are too. In tribal setting,
women prepare rice beer.

3. How does the womenfolk prepare for the celebration of 'Uruka'?

Ans: On the day of 'Uruka' womenfolk prepare various food items like 'chira', 'pitha', 'laru', 'curd',
and so on. In tribal societies, tribal women indulge in brewing rice beer, usually, undistilled which
takes four to five days to get matured during winter.

4. What is Magh Bihu also known as?

Ans: Magh, Bihu, the post-harvest winter festival seems to have a stronger hold of Lower Assam,
not excluding the tribals. Magh Bihu is also known as Maghar Domahi, meaning the juncture of
two months and the festival of feasting or Bhogali Bihu.

5. What is a Mah –Karai or Mah – Kare?

Ans:-Mah – Karai or Mah – Kare is a combination of roasted rice, black gram, sesame and
pieces of ginger. When offered for chewing, it is smeared with oil.

6. What is Bhelaghar?

Ans: People make temple-like structures in fields in the Bihu eve. Usually, young lads take hand
in this. These structures made with green bamboo, dried banana leaves, and hay are usually
temple-shaped and called Meji, and those which are hutlike are called Bhelaghar. Sometimes
cowherds pass the night in Bhelaghar warming themselves by a fire and making use of the
vegetables that they steal from the villagers’ garden and the eatables that are given them.

7. What is the importance of 'Meji' and 'Bhelaghar' built for Magh Bihu?

Ans: The 'Meji' and 'Bhelaghar' bear a great significance in Magh Bihu. The young boys build a
temple-like structure called 'meji' in fields with green bamboo, dried banana leaves and hay.
'Bhelaghar', a hut-like structure constructed and the cowherds sometimes pass the night in a
'bhelaghar' warming themselves by a fire. They also feast on the vegetables stolen from the
villagers' garden and the eatables given to them.

8. Why does the author believe that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an Indo-
Europen origin?

Ans: The author believes that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an Indo-European
origin. In Magh Bihu, 'meji' is burnt and half-burnt bamboos are scattered in the fields or thrown
near the fruit-bearing trees with a belief that the ashes and half-burnt bamboos increase the
fertility of fields and gardens. Similarly, the Europeans who lighted Lantern and Midsummer fire
also have belief in the efficacy of aches and embers as a means of fertility. Even some follow
the custom of tying bands of straw round tree trunks to render them fruitful.

9. How can we assume the influence of Vaishnavism in the celebration of Magh Bihu?
Ans: In Magh Bihu, after the 'meji' and 'Bhelaghar' are burned, people hold a session of hymn-
singing in the accompaniment of kettledrums and large cymbals. The holding of hymn-singing
or 'nam-prasanga' is a noted feature of this month of Magh. In this aspect, one can assume the
influence of Vaishnavism in the celebration of Magh Bihu.

10. How do the Kacharis celebrate Magh Bihu?

Ans: The kacharis, the most numerous tribe of Assam, have similar customs, though these
differ in certain features. They tie cords around fruit-bearing trees. They offer rice to the “flying,
the sinking, and the moving”, that is, to birds, to fishes, and animals like dogs and pigs. Further,
on the Domahi day, they put a mark of water mixed with cow dung, around their granary. On the
seventh day of Magh Bihu (sixth Magh), they again clean the utensils, sacrifice fowls to Bathou,
their god, and go out carol singing, collecting eatables. They call this custom Magan or begging.

11. Briefly describe the custom of 'magan' or begging associated with the Kacharis.

Ans: The Kacharis, the most numerous tribe of Assam, follow similar customs during the time
of Assamese Magh Bihu, but these customs differ in certain features. On the seventh day of
Magh Bihu i,e. sixth Magh, they again clean their utensils, sacrifice fowls to Bathou, their god
and go out caro singing, collecting eatables. This custom in their word is known as 'magan' or
begging.

12. What and why do the cowherd boys pray for while setting fire to the Bhelaghar?

Ans:- The cowherd boys burn the Bhelaghar before the dawn with a prayer “Glory , glory ,glory –
glory to our village !” . This prayer is prayed not to visit the disease in their village and increasing
the paddy and be riches also that their cattle may be large and strong like rhinoceros and the
elephant.

13. Why does the author consider Kati Bihu as a festival of little significance ?

Ans:-The author considers Kati Bihu as a festival of little significance because it has no public
significance . It is a one day affair for the people of Assam .The people spend a short time for
this festival . The ploughmen only plant a small bamboo in the field and light and earthen lamp
at its foot. Also in the family yard a light is put at the foot Tulasi plant and women as well as
children sing the prayer of Tulasi only a short time of period at dusk .
7/8 MARKS QUESTIONS ANSWERS : (long questions)

1. People do not take the usual rice and curry on the Domahi or Samkranti day for their lunch.
What are the different kinds of food items that people have for lunch on this particular day?

Ans: On the 'Domahi' or 'Sankranti' people do not take the usual rice and curry for their lunch
instead they take various food items like chira, pitha, laru, curd and so on. A special preparation
is 'mah-kara'(mah-mare)- a combination of roasted rice, blackgram, sesame, and pieces of
ginger. Another preparation is 'tekeli-pitha' which is like idle but larger. It is salted rice powder
steamed on the mouth of a small pitcher or a kettle. 'Sunga-pitha' is another food item which is
moist rice powder put in a green bamboo tube and roasted in the fire. Earlier salt was the only
ingredient mixed with the rice powder but at present. Some people prefer sweet variety.

In the upper Assam 'Sunga-saul' is a popular food item among the people. It is the sticky bora
rice steamed in a bamboo tube. When cooked, the sticky roll is made into pieces and eaten with
milk and gur. Fried pitha is another preferable food item for the people of upper Assam. The
most important thing is that meat is not allowed on the Domahi or Samkranti day.

2. Give an account of the various food items prepared and eaten during the festival of Magh
Bihu.

OR -

"Food ia an integral aspect of the celebration of Magh Bihu". Describe the importance of food in
relation to the festivity of Magh Bihu .

Ans:-Food is the most chore or significant part of Magh Bihu and Uruka . For this festival , the
womenfolk get ready for the Magh Bihu with chira , pitha , laru , curd and so on . On this
occasion , fuel has to be gathered and fish has to be collect from ponds and streams for
feasting . Some meat are also involved in feasting . The tribal women prepare rice beer . In the
night of the Uruka, the feasting is taken in the Bhelaghar .

The lunch of the Magh Bihu is not the rice and curry instead/ but chira pitha , curd ,
and so on . Some special preparation like mah – karai (mah – kare), tekeli – pitha , sunga –
pitha , milk and gur are also eaten in this day .

The evening meal of the Magh Bihu consist of rice sometimes new rice , curry of
black gram , fried yam and so on.

Thus, the various food items are prepared during the festival of uruka or magh bihu.

3. Although the Kacharis, the most numerous tribe of Assam, have similar customs like the
Magh Bihu, they differ in certain features. Describe the manner in which the Kacharis celebrate
their festival during the time of Assamese Magh Bihu.

Ans: Tribes of Assam are often recognized as the first inhabitants of the land who belong to
various tribal groups. Among them, the Kacharis are the most numerous tribe of Assam
constituting a large part of the population of Assam. The Kacharis follow similar customs
during the time of Assamese Magh Bihu but these customs differ in certain features like other
Assamese people, the Kacharis also tie cords round fruit-bearing trees. They offer rice to birds,
fishes, and land animals like dogs and pigs. Further, on the Domahi day, they put a mark of
water mixed with cow-dung around their granary. On the seventh day of the Magh Bihu i.e sixth
Magh, the Kacharis again clean their utensils. Sacrifice fowl to Bathou, their god, and go out
carol singing, collecting eatables. In their word, this custom is known as 'magan' or 'begging'.

Another noteworthy feature is that Kacharis consider the construction of the Bhelaghars and
setting fire to them to be the exclusive privilege of cowherd boys. The boys burn the Bhelaghars
before dawn, before the crows come out of their nests. The leading cowherd accompanied by
the other boys of the village, prays for the glory and prosperity of the village while setting fire to
the Bhelaghar.

Thus the kacharis celebrate their festival of Magh Bihu in a manner different from the
Assamese Magh Bihu in certain customs.

4. Describe the different kinds of sports and martial games associated with Magh Bihu. How did
the young people in earlier times prepare themselves for participating in the martial arts?

Ans: One Prominent feature of Magh Bihu is the holding of different kinds of sports and martial
games. Sports like wrestling, racing, jumping, buffalo fighting, egg fighting are associated with
the Magh Bihu. In earlier times young people used to play martial games like swordplay and
javelin throwing which was considered customary.

In earlier times, young people had to make special preparation for participating in the martial
arts. From weeks ahead, they used to make camps on dry river banks and exercise themselves
in this art. This preparation was done in order to make themselves ready to defend their land
from aggressors.
5. Kati Bihu, according to the author, cannot be called a festival as such. How is Kati Bihu
celebrated in Assam?

Ans: According to the author Dr. Praphulladatta Goswami, Kati Bihu, held in the autumn season
is a festival of little significance. It has no public significance. The ritual associated with this
Bihu is that in the family yard light is put at the foot of the Tulsi plant and women and children
sing hymns in this manner:

"Tulasi, O Mother, Tulsi,

You are Govinda's favourite,

Which way has Krishna gone,

Mother, tell us quickly."

The Tulasi plant is considered to be the symbol of Vrinda, one of the devotees of Lord Krishna.

Another notable aspect of Kati Bihu is that the farmer takes certain steps for the protection of
his crops. He plants a small bamboo in the field and lights an earthen lamp at its foot. He may
also whirl a piece of bamboo and chant certain mantras with a view to protecting the maturing
paddy from destructive pests. Moreover, some farmers lit up a special kind of lamp, Known as
the 'Akash banti' or the sky lamp hanging from a tall bamboo. The Kacharis, the most numerous
tribes of Assam put lamps at the foot of the siju cactus, a symbol of their chief god Bathou, in
the garden, at the granary, and in the field.

As the Kati Bihu is not celebrated in a flamboyant manner like Bohag Bihu and Magh Bihu, the
author says, 'Kati Bihu cannot be called a festival as such'.

PREVIOUS YEAR PAPER NOTES :

1. What does the term Domahi means? What do people usually have for lunch on that day?
(2019)

Ans: The word Domahi means the junction of two months.

On the 'Domahi' or 'Sankranti' people do not take the usual rice and curry for their lunch instead
they take various food items like chira, pitha, laru, curd and so on.

2. How is the delicacy 'Sunga-pitha' prepared? (2019)

Ans: 'Sunga-pitha' is a type of pitha which is made from moist rice powder put in a green
bamboo tube and roasted in the fire. The ingredient mixed with the powder used to be salt but
now-a-days some people prefer a sweet variety.

In upper Assam, the people make 'Sunga-saul' which is made from the sticky bora rice steamed
in a bamboo tube. When it is done, the sticky roll is made into pieces and eaten mixed with milk
and gur.

3. What are the different sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi? (2020)

Ans: The different sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi are wrestling,
racing, jumping, buffalo fighting, egg fighting.

4. Give an elaborate account of the celebration associated with Uruka, The important part of
Magh Bihu? (2020)

Or

The Uruka happens to be an important aspect of Magh Bihu. Give an elaborate account of the
celebrations associated with Uruka. (2020)

Ans: Magh Bihu is one of the most important festivals of Assam. It is the post-harvest winter
festival celebrated by the Assamese people in the month of Magh. Magh Bihu is also known as
'Bhogali Bihu' or the Bihu of Enjoyment.

Uruka or the Bihu eve happens to be an important aspect of Magh Bihu. The womenfolk prepare
various food items viz. ' chira', 'pitha', 'laru', 'curd' and so on for the next day. The Uruka is not a
one-day affair as fuel, fish and meat are to be collected. In tribal societies, tribal women indulge
in brewing rice beer, usually undistilled, which takes four to five days to get matured during
winter.

The young boys build a temple-like structure in a field called 'meji' with green bamboo, dried
banana leaves, and hay. Moreover, a hut-like structure known as 'bhelaghar' is also constructed.
The cowherds sometimes pass the night in Bhelaghar warming themselves by a fire. They also
feast on the vegetable stolen from the villager's garden and the eatables given to them.

This Uruka festival can be celebrated as a family affair or communal.

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