Assam celebrates 'Rongali Bihu'
People in Assam ushered in Rongali Bihu to the roll of drum beats though many said the celebrations have been somewhat dampened due to rising prices of essential commodities.
By PTI |
GUWAHATI: People in Assam on Sunday ushered in Rongali Bihu, an agrarian festival, to the roll of drum beats though many said the celebrations have been somewhat dampened due to rising prices of essential commodities.
Keeping with the tradition of wearing new clothes on New Year's day tomorrow, people thronged the markets to look for the cheapest and best deals, with some returning disappointed with the high prices.
Re-enactment of old fertility rites and partaking of traditional delicacies are the hallmark of Rongali. Bihu celebrations are being observed for 500 years, since the rule of Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singha.
There were songs and dances to welcome the new year. Songs of Bihu are woven mostly around themes of love with young men singing to charming maidens whose beauty they celebrate through the lyrics.
The Bihu festivities began on Sankranti today with Goru Bihu (Bihu of cattle) when household animals are given a ritual bath.
Tomorrow is Manuh (people's) Bihu and new year's day which will be mainly devoted to ceremonies for the welfare of people and youngsters paying respects to elders with 'gamosas' (handwoven scarfs) to seek blessings for a fruitful year.
Besides the Assamese, various tribes in the state, too, celebrate Bihu. The Bodos observe it as Baisagu, Karbis as Johang Pula, Deoris as Bahagiya Bihu, Rabhas as Nava Barasa, Tiwas as Bisu and Tai Phakes as Pasni Bihu.
Assam celebrates three seasonal Bihus -- Rongali this month (the month of Bahag in Assamese), Bhogali in January with harvesting and feasting and Kongali Bihu or lean Bihu in September.
Keeping with the tradition of wearing new clothes on New Year's day tomorrow, people thronged the markets to look for the cheapest and best deals, with some returning disappointed with the high prices.
Re-enactment of old fertility rites and partaking of traditional delicacies are the hallmark of Rongali. Bihu celebrations are being observed for 500 years, since the rule of Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singha.
There were songs and dances to welcome the new year. Songs of Bihu are woven mostly around themes of love with young men singing to charming maidens whose beauty they celebrate through the lyrics.
The Bihu festivities began on Sankranti today with Goru Bihu (Bihu of cattle) when household animals are given a ritual bath.
Tomorrow is Manuh (people's) Bihu and new year's day which will be mainly devoted to ceremonies for the welfare of people and youngsters paying respects to elders with 'gamosas' (handwoven scarfs) to seek blessings for a fruitful year.
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Besides the Assamese, various tribes in the state, too, celebrate Bihu. The Bodos observe it as Baisagu, Karbis as Johang Pula, Deoris as Bahagiya Bihu, Rabhas as Nava Barasa, Tiwas as Bisu and Tai Phakes as Pasni Bihu.
Assam celebrates three seasonal Bihus -- Rongali this month (the month of Bahag in Assamese), Bhogali in January with harvesting and feasting and Kongali Bihu or lean Bihu in September.
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