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Assam State of NE India, south of Bhutan, west of Myanmar, & almost completely separated from the rest of India by Bangladesh: 30,318 sq. mi. (78,523 sq. km). Assamese n. 1 A native or inhabitant of Assam. 2 The Indo-Aryan language of the Assamese. adj. Of Assam, its people, or their language or culture |
THE BIHU
The Bihus are the national festivals of Assam. There are three such festivals in Assam:
1. Rongali Bihu in the month of Bohaag, the middle of April.
2. Bhogali Bihu in the month of Magh, the middle of January.
3. Kongali Bihu in the month of Kaati, the middle of October.
The Bihus have been celebrated in Assam from ancient times. Each Bihu coincides with a distinctive phase in the farming calendar. The Rongali or Bohaag Bihu marks the New Year at the advent of seeding time, the Kongali or Kaati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies, and the Bhogali or Maagh Bihu marks the end of the harvesting period.
The Rongaali Bihu is the Festival of Merriment, the Bhogaali Bihu is the Festival of Food, and the Kongaali Bihu is the Festival of the Poor.
Of the three Bihu festivals which are secular and non-religious, the Bohaag Bihu ushers in the period of greatest enjoyment and marks the arrival of Spring. The folk songs associated with the Bohaag Bihu are called Bihu geets or Bihu songs. The Bohaag Bihu lasts for several days during which "the young people in the village may be seen moving about in groups gaily dressed or forming circles in the midst of which the prettiest girls dance" singing songs of love and romance. Such gatherings are called Mukoli Bihus (Open Bihus). The songs are very popular among all sections of the people.
The language of the Bihu songs have changed from generation to generation. The songs are composed in couplets that rhyme (and are almost always accompanied by a distinctive form of dancing), and each couplet depicts a different emotion. The language is simple and suggestive, and the style is neat and clear. Scholars agree that the songs have no influence of Sanskrit, the ancient language of religious text and learned commentaries.
At the current time, Mukoli Bihus are not common any more.In towns and cities, there are well-organized Bihu fairs whereprofessional or amateurtroupes perform Bihu songs on stage with accompanying dancing.Bihu Kunwori (The Princess of the Bihu) contestsare held widely. In these contests, young women competein dancing to the tune of Bihu songs.
The best dancer is given the title of Bihu Kunwori.
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