Festivals of Assam (Assam Art & Culture) Notes for APSC, UPSC and State Exams
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Assam is a land of large number of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam characterize the spirit of accommodation and togetherness in the diverse beliefs of the numerous tribes and races residing there. Each festival is
celebrated with equal passion and fervor, thus reflecting the lifestyle and tradition of the people of Assam.
Bihu Festival
The most important and enchanting festival of Assam is Bihu. The Bihu is celebrated three times a year:
- Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu which augurs the wish for a good harvest because this is the time when farmers start sowing. It the most popular Bihu celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year in mid-April) and the coming of Spring. This marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar.
- Kongali Bihu or Kaati Bihu which is observed in mid-October to mark the cutting and binding of grains, and
- Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu which marks the season of harvesting of grains. mid-January. Since the granaries are full, there is a lot of feasting and eating during this period.
The festival is mainly a celebration of the different phases of cultivation and is observed by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief.
Ambubachi Fair
It is the most important festival of Kamakhya temple and is held every year during monsoon (mid-June). It is a ritual of austerities celebrated with ‘Tantric rites’. During Ambubashi the doors of the temple remain closed for three days. It is believed that the earth becomes impure for three days. During this time no farming work is undertaken.
Ambubachi mela is held at the Kamakhya temple, , atop Nilachal Hil, after being closed for the afore-mentioned three days. On the fourth day only the devotees are allowed to enter inside the temple for worship. Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad visit this mela.
Baishagu
This festival is celebrated in Assam by the tribes of Bodo and Kachari during the spring season, at the start of the Assamese New Year. Famous for its myriad colours and merriment, it is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe. The Bodos also celebrate it as a springtime festival at the advent of the new year. In this festival of Baishagu many traditional musical instruments are used. Such music instruments are: Khawbang, Jotha, Gogona, Siphung, Kham etc.
It is a two-day festival and is spent amidst fun and gaiety. The first day begins with the worship of cows. The next day corresponds with the 1st day of the Assamese Bohag month. Lord Shiva (Bathou in native terms) is worshipped and offerings like rice beer and chicken are given to Him. At the end of this Baishagu Festival of Assam the Assamese people gather together in a specified place for a community prayer which is called as “Garjasali” in Assamese language.
Me-Dum-Me-Phi
Me-Dum-Me-Phi is the most important Ahom festival. It is ancestor worship festival which is observed by the whole Ahom community community of Tai origin. This is performed on the 31st of January and helps to develop social contacts and community feelings among the Ahoms.
It is believed that if Me-Dum-Me-Fi is not celebrated in the customary way, the deities will be displeased and consequently there will be crisis in the State like political rivalry and infighting, increased activities of militancy, natural upheavals like floods and earthquakes resulting in loss of human lives and property.
Ali- Ai- Ligang
Ali-Aye-Ligang is a spring festival associated with agriculture, specially with the beginning of the Ahu paddy cultivation. It is celebrated by the indigenous Mising or Mishing tribe of Assam in the month of ‘Ginmur Polo’ (February-March).
The festival marks onset of sowing seeds. The name of the festival is made up of three terms, ‘Ali’, legumes, ‘Aye’, seed and ‘Ligang’, to sow.
A popular dance is performed by the young Mising people which is known as Gumrag. This dance is performed by encircling the courtyard of the house of the villagers.
Baikho
Also called Khoksi Puja, is a spring time festival, celebrated by the indigenous Rabha community of Assam. The festival comes across as the worship of the Goddess of Wealth, known as ‘Baikho’ adored for her “ability to bring forth rains, abundant crops and health for the community.”
Bohaggiyo Bishu
The Deoris of Assam, one of the four divisions of the ‘Chutiyas’, observe this festival during the spring season. Derived from the Chutiya word ‘Bisu’ (Bi- extreme, Su- rejoicing), the festival is a continuous celebration of 7 days. It usually starts on a Wednesday, with Than Puja and there is buffalo sacrifice every fourth year.
The major attractions of the festival are the Deodhani dance and Husori (folk song). The Deodhani Nrityaforms the most important and significant part of the festival. ‘Husori’ or Carol Song party is the main attraction.