Bihu

Bihu is the most prominent cultural festival of Assam, symbolising the rhythmic cycle of agrarian life and marking the changing seasons. Rooted in the state’s rural and agricultural traditions, Bihu is celebrated by people across all communities with joy, dance, music, and feasting. It is not a single festival but a series of three distinct celebrations held at different times of the year—Rongali or Bohag Bihu, Kongali or Kati Bihu, and Bhogali or Magh Bihu—each corresponding to a particular stage of the farming calendar. Bihu expresses Assam’s harmony between nature, agriculture, and human emotion, reflecting both cultural unity and deep reverence for the land.

Historical and Cultural Background

The origin of Bihu is ancient, with references found in early Assamese chronicles and folklore. Scholars trace its roots to pre-Aryan fertility cults and agricultural rituals performed by indigenous tribes of the Brahmaputra Valley. Over time, Bihu evolved through a synthesis of tribal customs (especially those of the Kaibarta, Deori, and Kachari communities) and broader Assamese traditions, incorporating elements of animism, Vaishnavism, and folk culture.
The festival’s name is believed to have derived from the Dimasa word “Bishu”, meaning “excess joy” or “to enjoy,” symbolising the happiness associated with seasonal renewal and abundance. Bihu has long transcended its agrarian roots, becoming a marker of Assamese identity and social unity.

Types of Bihu and Their Significance

Bihu is celebrated three times a year, each festival having its own agricultural and seasonal importance:

1. Rongali or Bohag Bihu (Mid-April):
   • Celebrated in the Assamese month of Bohag (April), coinciding with the spring season and the Assamese New Year.
   • Symbolises joy, fertility, and renewal as farmers prepare to sow seeds for the new crop cycle.
   • It is the most vibrant and widely celebrated of all Bihus.
   • “Rongali” means “merriment,” reflecting the festive spirit that marks the beginning of the agricultural year.
2. Kongali or Kati Bihu (Mid-October):
   • Observed in the month of Kati (October), during the sowing phase when crops are growing but yet to be harvested.
   • Known as the “sombre” or “austere” Bihu, it involves prayers for a good harvest and protection of crops from pests and natural calamities.
   • Lamps are lit in the fields and under the sacred Tulsi plant to invoke divine blessings.
3. Bhogali or Magh Bihu (Mid-January):
   • Celebrated in the month of Magh (January), after the harvest season.
   • The word “Bhogali” derives from “bhog”, meaning enjoyment or feast, representing abundance and gratitude for a successful harvest.
   • It is marked by community feasts, bonfires, and traditional games.

These three Bihus together represent the seasonal rhythm of Assamese rural life—the joy of sowing, the hope of growth, and the gratitude of reaping.

Rongali Bihu: The Festival of Joy

Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is the most elaborate and exuberant among the three. It begins on 14 or 15 April, aligning with other regional New Year festivals such as Tamil Puthandu, Bengali Pohela Boishakh, and Punjabi Vaisakhi.
The celebrations last for several days and include traditional rituals, songs, and dances:

• Day 1 – Goru Bihu: Dedicated to cattle, the lifeline of agrarian life. Cows and bulls are bathed, adorned with garlands, and offered special food as a mark of respect.
• Day 2 – Manuh Bihu: Marks the Assamese New Year. People wear new clothes, exchange greetings, and seek blessings from elders.
• Day 3 onwards – Gosai Bihu and subsequent days: Dedicated to household deities, ancestors, and community gatherings.

The highlight of Rongali Bihu is the Bihu dance, performed by young men and women in colourful traditional attire. The dance expresses themes of courtship, fertility, and celebration of nature. The accompanying Bihu songs (Bihu Geet) are poetic, often romantic, and sung in lively rhythms that reflect rural life and love.
Musical instruments such as the dhol (drum), pepa (buffalo horn pipe), gogona (reed instrument), toka (bamboo clapper), and bansuri (flute) accompany the dance, creating a vibrant soundscape that embodies Assamese folk music.

Kongali Bihu: The Festival of Prayer

Kongali Bihu, also known as Kati Bihu, is celebrated in October when crops are still in the field. It represents a period of restraint and prayer, contrasting with the exuberance of Rongali and Bhogali Bihu.
Farmers light akax banti (earthen lamps) in the paddy fields, symbolising protection of the young crops and invoking the blessings of the goddess Lakshmi for fertility and prosperity. Lamps are also lit under the sacred Tulsi plant, and special rituals are performed to ward off evil spirits.
The atmosphere during Kati Bihu is quiet and spiritual, with families focusing on simplicity, devotion, and hope for a good harvest.

Bhogali Bihu: The Festival of Feasting

Bhogali Bihu, or Magh Bihu, celebrates the end of the harvest season in January and the arrival of abundance. It is a time of community feasting, thanksgiving, and recreation.
The night before the main festival, known as Uruka, people gather to build temporary huts called Meji or Bhelaghar from bamboo, straw, and leaves. They cook festive meals, sing folk songs, and spend the night in merriment. At dawn, the Meji huts are set ablaze, symbolising the offering of the first harvest to the fire god (Agni).
Traditional games such as tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking), buffalo fights, and cockfights add to the festive spirit. Feasts feature rice, lentils, fish, meat, and a variety of traditional sweets made from sesame (til), rice, and jaggery, including pitha, laru, and sandoh guri.

Music, Dance, and Cultural Expression

The Bihu dance and Bihu songs are at the heart of the festival, representing Assamese identity and folk artistry.

• Bihu Dance: A lively and graceful folk dance performed by men and women in colourful costumes. The women wear the traditional mekhela chador with motifs of red and gold, while men wear white dhoti and gamosa. The dance is marked by rhythmic movements, expressive gestures, and group coordination.
• Bihu Songs: Known as Bihu Geet, these songs are composed in the Assamese language and express themes of love, youth, joy, and the beauty of nature. They are sung in energetic rhythms accompanied by traditional instruments.

Bihu performances also serve as a platform for community bonding, artistic expression, and celebration of cultural identity.

Religious and Social Dimensions

Although primarily an agrarian and seasonal festival, Bihu transcends religious boundaries, being celebrated by Hindus, Muslims, and various tribal groups alike. The inclusive nature of the festival reflects Assam’s secular ethos and cultural unity.
Spiritually, Bihu honours nature as divine. The rituals express gratitude to the Sun, Earth, water, and cattle—the essential elements of agrarian life. The festival also promotes social cohesion, as people visit each other’s homes, share food, and strengthen communal ties.

Modern Celebrations and Cultural Significance

In contemporary Assam, Bihu has evolved beyond its rural origins to become a state-wide and national celebration of Assamese culture. Urban centres host grand Bihu Sanmelans (festivals) featuring music, dance, and traditional performances. The festival has gained international recognition through Assamese diaspora communities around the world.
Bihu’s songs and dances have become symbols of Assamese identity, often showcased in national cultural festivals and media. Government institutions and educational bodies mark the occasion with cultural programmes, emphasising its heritage value.