In this article we will discuss about communities of Assam and their prominent festivals.
1. Assamese Community (General):
Bihu: The most prominent festival of Assam, celebrated three times a year:
- Rongali Bihu (also Bohag Bihu) (Mid-April): Marks the Assamese New Year and the season of Spring, celebrated with lively dances, songs and food. It is associated with the start of the agricultural cycle.
- Kati Bihu (also Kongali Bihu) (Mid-October): A subdued Bihu observed/timing when the rice is transplanted because everyone is busy preparing the soil, clearing the fields, and planting rice. After the paddy is all planted and spaced properly, all of the caretakers of the crops will light earthen lamps close to where the Tulsi plant is growing in the domicile. At the very least, each caretaker will place a lamp to the left, right, and front near the Tulsi plant so that the people growing crops can have good, plentiful harvests.
- Magh Bihu (also Bhogali Bihu) (mid-January): The harvest festival is celebrated every year and like many of the Bihus, it’s celebrated with bonfires (Meji), community food (Bihutuli), and games and competitions.
Ambubachi Mela (June): The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati celebrates Ambubachi Mela in June that pays homage to the yearly menstruation of the Goddess Kamakhya; the temple shuts down for three days.
Doul Utsav (Holi) (February/March): Doul Utsav is the Holi festival of the Assamese Blessed; it is celebrated with colored powders and cultural scenes, specifically in Barpeta.
2. Bodo Community:
Baishagu (Mid-April): The Bodo New Year festival, Baishagu, celebrates the Bodo New Year festival celebrations in the spring with many colors, traditional music (with instruments such as the Khawbang, Jotha, Gogona), dance (Bagurumba) and prayers in the community.
Kherai Puja: Kherai Puja for the Bodo community is important religious festival for the worship of the spirits of ancestors and Bathow and other deities.
3. Mishing Community:
Ali-Ai-Ligang (February/March): Ali-Ai-Ligang is an important Spring festival for the Mishing community as it is associated to agricultural activity, Ale-Ai-Ligang denotes the beginning of sowing in springtime, and this festival of colorful dances (Gumrag), music and traditional meals.
Porag: Porag is a five-day long post-harvest festival observed by the Misings of Assam.
4. Ahom Community:
– Me-Dum-Me-Phi (January 31): Festival of ancestor-worship that is observed by the whole Ahom community to pay tribute to and remember the contributions of the departed ones.
5. Karbi Community:
– Rongker: An agricultural festival at the start of the spring season, just before launching the Jhum cultivation and being blessed with a bountiful harvest.
– Hacha Kekan: An annual festival, right after planting, celebrating with joyous, exuberant dancing, and eating.
6. Rabha Community:
– Baikhu: An agricultural festival that is celebrated with traditional music and dance.
– Pharkantis: Spring festival organised with cultural items.
7. Tiwa Community:
– Sagra-Misawa Wansawa and Laghun: Festivals that are celebrated with traditional rituals, music, and dance.
8. Deori Community:
– Ibaku Bisu (April) and Magiyo Bisu (January): Festivals that are associated with agriculture and are held before starting agricultural operations.
– Joydam Festival (February): Cultural meet with all the Deori groups having a motto of unity in diversity.
9. Tea Tribes:
– Karam Puja (August/September): An agricultural festival, where the Karam tree is worshipped as a symbol of luck and for good harvest.
– Tusu Puja (Mid-January): Dedicated to Goddess Tusu Devi, this festival is celebrated with colorful decorations, traditional music and dance.
10. Tai Phake Community:
– Poi-Nun-Hok (Buddha Purnima) (May): The birthday of Lord Gautama Buddha is a significant festival for this community.
– Sangken (Mid-April): Celebration of washing the statue of Lord Buddha with pure water, and continuing with other rituals.
