Bihu Dance Festival: Energizing Your North East India Trip

When it comes to the National Festivals of Assam, Bihus top the chart. Celebrated in the months of January, April and October – the Bihu festivals are known as Bohaag Bihu (Rangali Bihu), Maagh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu) and Kaati Bihu (Kongaali Bihu). The most important of these is the Spring festival ‘Bohaag Bihu’ or Rangali Bihu that marks the beginning of the agricultural season. This seven day festival is marked by traditional Bihu dance during which the visitors are served with rice-beer.

The Bohaag Bihu or the Rongali Bihu
Marking the New Year at the advent of seeding time, Bohaag Bihu is celebrated around April 15 every year. During the entire seven days, the ladies prepare dishes like pitha, larus (traditional food made of rice and coconut) and Jolpan which gives the real essence of the season. People wear new clothes, make the cows bath and worship them, wash the statues of Gods and indulge in traditional dances. Generally young boys and girls take part in the dances, which at times seem to be erotic and seductive. Incorporating a mating ritual, it is also known as fertility festival where the young women celebrate their fertility with sensuous movements.

The Magh Bihu or the Bhogali Bihu
This harvesting festival is celebrated in January and is enjoyed with community feast, buffalo fights, Cock-fights, Nightingale-fights and other entertainments. It is emerged with the word ‘Bhog’ that is eating and enjoyment. On the last day, people celebrate it along side a lake while singing bihu songs, beating Dhol and playing Pepa (buffalo hornpipe). They offer their prayers to the God of Fire.

The Kati Bihu to the Kongaali Bihu

Celebrated in the month of Kartika (mid – October), it marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies. It is a festival of poor, which represents swaying of hips, youthful passion and reproductive urge. People also exchange sweets and greetings during the festival.