BIHU-The festival of Assam

National and Cultural festival of Assam is Bihu. Bihu is celebrated in the Northeastern States of India mainly in Assam and it is the popular festival of Assam. The word Bihu comes from where there is no answer accurately. Some people say that the word Bihu comes from the Bodo language Baishu and some people say that it is celebrated on the Bishuba Sankranti that's why its called Bihu.

Types of Bihu

Mainly there are three types of Bihu or Harvesting festival celebrated three different months in a year Namely

1. Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu.

2.Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu and.

3.Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu.

1. Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu.

Image of  Mukoli Bihu

Spring festival of Assam Bohag Bihu is celebrated on the month of "April" according to the British calendar or on the month of "Bohag" according to the Assamese calendar, when new leaves grow and Asian Koel or Cuckoo Bird sings and the time of harvesting the Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is celebrated. Another name of this Bihu is Xaat Bihu because it is celebrated to seven days. The Days are:-

a. Goru Bihu.

b. Manuh Bihu.

c. Guhai Bihu.

d. Mela Bihu.

e. Seneh Bihu.

f. Rongali Bihu.

g. Chera Bihu.

                                           

a. Goru Bihu

  1st day of this Bihu is celebrated as Goru Bihu. On this day in the head, horn, ear and body of the cows and cattle are rubbed with oils, Maah-halodhi ( Black gram and Turmeric paste ).  After that, all the cows and cattle are brought to a water source like a pond or river to watch by Makhiyoti and dighloti (Its a type of leaves available in northeastern states of Assam or available on other parts which I exactly don't know). While watching the cows and cattle people sing Dighloti Dighol paat maakhi maru jaat jaat. Lau kha bengena kha bosore bosore barhi ja mar khoru baper khoru toi hobi bor goru. After that many games are organised by the villagers Buffalo fight which is now banned by the Supreme court of India, Kori khel Pakha khel etc. In Bihu, the ancient civilization of Assamese people is sparkled by artistic form. At the time of evening when cows and cattle come to their places to stay and then the owner of the cattle change the cow halter and rope with the old one.

Image of Goru Bihu 

b. Manuh Bihu                         

  2nd Day of this Bihu is Manuh Bihu where peoples are bath by Blackgram and turmeric paste and ware new clothes. After that light on a household prayer place. This Bihu involves the traditional way of seeking blessings from the elders of the family by gifting them the Bihuwan (GAMUSA a piece of cultural pride cloth).

          

                                         

c. Guhai Bihu

 3rd Day Guhai Bihu

                                           

d. Mela Bihu

 4th Day Mela Bihu, In ancient Days Kings are sitting in a Cultural house and enjoying Bihu dances and cultural events participated by people of Assam.

                                         

e. Seneh Bihu

 5th Day Seneh Bihu 

                                         

f. Rongali Bihu

  6th Day Rongali Bihu

                                           

g. Cera Bihu

 7th Day Cera Bihu or Bidai Bihu. Actually, nowadays it is celebrated at the end of the month but in ancient times it is celebrated on the 7th day that means the end of the Bohag Bihu in that year

2. Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu

Paddy field

All three Bihus are related to agriculture this Bihu also related to agriculture. Kongal means poor in Assamese, on the month of Kati according to Assamese calendar. this famous festival of Assam Kati Bihu is celebrated. When people have not much to eat at this season people of Assam pray to goddess Laxmi or welcome Goddess Laxmi to home by praying. People of Assam made the mustered oil lamp specially designed by bamboo and other natural material. This lights and lamps are placed on paddy fields and different places like Basil tree Bhoral Ghar etc. (Storeroom of Rice). The lamped places on Basil tree is called Saki and lamp placed on paddy fields are called "akakh banti". The lamps are specially designed by the cultivators to protect their crops from insects. 

3. Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu

At the time of Makar Sankranti, Aghun-puh month according to Assamese calendar this Bihu is celebrated. At this time the cultivators are very happy because new rice is entered their Bharal (rice storeroom). People make a house called Bhela Ghar or Mezi and enjoyed a lot this day is called Uruka(the day before Magh Bihu). In Uruka where all the Assamese people celebrate at Bhela Ghar. Dance and sing Bihu song. This Mezi is made by natural resources Bamboo and thatch. In Uruka especially in the night, they prepare food with new rice cultivated in their own paddy field and offer all the villagers and relatives. The whole night people enjoy at the Bhela Ghar and on the next day when the sun does not rise people bath early in the morning and fire the Bhela Ghar. People of Assam believed that the fire of Bhela Ghar burns the winter. 

Image of Bhela Ghar or Mezi Ghar

In ancient times Assamese Bhela Ghar is made just simply with Bamboo and thatch but now it is made with different styles and designs like in my above picture this Bhela Ghar or Meji is shaped like a boat. If you want to see different types of Bhela Ghar you can search on google. 

                                                      Actually, Bihu is the harvesting festival of Assam and also the traditional festival of Assam celebrated from ancient times.