Bohag Bihu – Bihu Dance – Assam - Bihu Festival – Rangali Bihu - Incredible India

Bihu is the main festival in north eastern Indian state Assam and it is related to agriculture.  The name Bihu is associated with Bihu dance, a folk dance of Assam. This dance is performed by both men & women characterized by brisk dance steps and rapid hand movement by wearing traditionally colorful Assamese clothes.

Bihu is comprises of three different festivals.

•    Rangali or Bohag Bihu - April

•    Kangali or Kati Bihu – October

•    Bhogali or Magh Bihu - January

Bohag Bihu: The Rangali Bihu is the most important of the three celebrating the Assamese New Year and spring festival. Bohag is a fertility festival. Assami people celebrate Rangoli Bihu with feasts, music and dancing. Rangali is indication of beginning of agricultural season and coincides with Vaisakhi festival commemorated in north India. Bohag Bihu is also termed as Vishu in Kerala & Haat Bihu and it unites the people regardless of their religions or backgrounds promoting celebration of diversity.

The farmers prepare the fields for cultivation of paddy. It marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar and continues for seven days. The Seven days are Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu. Each day represents different agricultural cycle of paddy crops. 

Raati Bihu: This phase is starts in first night of month of Cheitra. It was performed beneath an ancient tree or in an open field illuminated by burning torches. People played a pepa- a buffalo hornpipe and bholuka baahor toka- a bamboo musical instrument.

Chot Bihu: Referred as Bali Husori begins on the second day of Cheitra month. Bihu songs and dances are performed on this day.

Goru Bihu: Associated to agricultural roots of Assam and the reverence of livestock which provided an ancient method of livelihood.

Manuh Bihu: The first day of the Vaisakh month marks Manuh Bihu involves tradition of seeking blessings from the elders in a family and presenting the ceremonial patch of Bihuwan or Gamusa cloth.

Kutum Bihu: The second date of Visakh is Kutum Bihu. People visit their families, relatives and friends and take lunch -dinner together and gossip.

Mela Bihu: On this cultural events and competitions are organized.

Chera Bihu: Known as Bohagi Bidai or Faat Bihu is fourth and final day of Rongali Bihu. It is signs of exchange of Pithas made by different families among their friends and relatives.

Kongali Bihu: It is associated with crop protection. To protect the maturing paddy, cultivators whirl a piece of bamboo and recite rowa-khowa chants and spells to ward off pests and the evil eye.

Bhogali Bihu: Name of this festival is derived from word Bhog means eating and enjoyment. It is end of harvesting season. People gather around bonfire, called as Meji and throw Pithas, made by rice cakes and betel nuts to it while burning. They prayed to God of Fire and mark end of the harvesting year.

During the celebration of Bihu festival many types sports event is organized like as Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight and Nightingale-fight.

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