Bihu: A Celebration of Life and Culture in Assam
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Bihu is a festival that is celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm in the Indian state of Assam. It is a three-part festival that marks the changing seasons and is deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of the region. The festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Assamese people and is a time for feasting, dancing, singing, and merry-making.
The Three Parts of Bihu
Bihu is a three-part festival that is celebrated at different times of the year. Each part of the festival is associated with a different season and marks an important event in the agricultural cycle of the region.
Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is celebrated in mid-April and marks the beginning of the agricultural season. It is a time of great joy and excitement as the farmers prepare to sow their fields. The festival lasts for seven days and is marked by feasting, dancing, and singing.
Kati Bihu is celebrated in mid-October during the time when the crops are growing and require nurturing. It is a time when the farmers pray for a good harvest and is marked by lighting lamps and offering prayers to the gods. This part of the festival is relatively low-key compared to the other parts of Bihu.
Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated in mid-January and marks the end of the harvest season. It is a time for feasting and merrymaking as the farmers celebrate the successful harvest. This part of the festival is marked by the lighting of bonfires and the cooking of traditional Assamese dishes.
The Rituals and Customs of Bihu
Bihu is a festival that is deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of the region. The rituals and customs of Bihu reflect the connection between the people and the land.
One of the most important customs of Bihu (Click here to play Bihu Quizzes) is the performance of the Bihu dance. The Bihu dance is a traditional folk dance that is performed during the festival. The dance is characterized by brisk movements and is accompanied by the playing of traditional Assamese musical instruments such as the dhol, pepa, and taal.
Another important custom of Bihu is the exchange of gifts and greetings. During the festival, people visit their friends and family and exchange gifts and greetings. The gifts are often handmade and include items such as traditional Assamese sweets, clothes, and handicrafts.
The food of Bihu is another important aspect of the festival. Traditional Assamese dishes such as pitha, laru, and doi are prepared during the festival. Pitha is a type of rice cake that is made with coconut and jaggery. Laru is a type of sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery.
The jaggery is melted in a pan and then mixed with grated coconut and rice flour to form a thick dough. Small balls of the dough are then rolled and shaped into the desired size before being baked or fried.
Laru is often flavored with cardamom or other spices and is a delicious and nutritious snack that can be eaten at any time of day. It is a traditional food that has been enjoyed in Assam for generations and is an essential part of the Bihu celebrations.
Another popular food item during Bihu is Til Pitha. Til Pitha is a type of Pitha that is made with sesame seeds and jaggery. The sesame seeds are roasted in a pan and then mixed with jaggery to form a thick paste. The paste is then shaped into small balls or flattened discs and fried until golden brown.
