Bihu is the most important (non-religious) festival of the Assamese culture and of the state of Assam which is situated in the northeastern region of India. (The Assamese word "Bihu" is also used to imply "Bihu dance" and "Bihu folk songs".) There are three main Bihus which are all related to agricultural activities. In recent decades, the Bihus have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus. Assam (অসম) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur. ... Bihu dancers The Bihu dance is a folk dance from the Indian state of Assam related to the festival of Bihu. ...

Types of Bihu

Rongali Bihu

The most popular one is the RONGALI BIHU or the Bohag Bihu which refers to the onset of the Assamese New Year (April 15 of every year) and the coming of Spring. Its a time of merriment and feasting and continues for several days. The farmers prepare the fields for cultivation of paddy and there is a feeling of joy around. The ladies make pithas and larus (traditional food made of rice and coconut) which gives the real essence of the season. The first day of the bihu is called goru bihu or cow bihu, where the cows are washed and worshipped. This is followed by manuh (human) bihu. The folk songs associated with the Bohag Bihu are called Bihugeets or Bihu songs. During this time the young people in the village move around in groups along with pretty girls dressed in beautiful traditional Assamese attire and singing bihu songs of love and romance. Such gatherings are called mukoli (open) Bihu or Husuris. Species Oryza glaberrima Oryza sativa Rice refers to two species (Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima) of grass, native to tropical and subtropical southeastern Asia and to Africa. ... Binomial name Cocos nucifera L. The Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera), is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family). ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (called cows in vernacular usage) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ...

Rongali Bihu is also a fertility festival, where the bihu dance with its sensous movements using the hips , arms , etc, by the young women call out to celebrate their fertility .In this aspect, the bihu dance can also be called a mating ritual by the young men and women.

Kongali Bihu

KAATI BIHU or Kongali Bihu (mid-October) has a different flavour as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. During this time of the year, the paddy in the fields are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost empty. Thus it can be also referred as the empty (kongaali) bihu. The people fast during the day and in the evening offer prayers to the tulasi plant and also in the paddy fields by lighting a saki (earthen lamp), with the hope that there is a good harvest and also to ward off any evil eyes, this also helps to control the insects. There is also exchange of sweets and greetings at this time. Binomial name Ocimum basilicum L. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) of the Family Lamiaceae is also known as Albahaca, St. ...

Bhogali Bihu

MAGH BIHU or Bhogali Bihu (mid-January) marks the end of harvesting season and there is a lot of feasting and eating during this period. The granaries are full and thus the people come together and make a small hut type structures called mejis with the hay of the harvest fields and during the night, prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. The entire night is spend around a bonfire with people singing bihu songs, beating drums or playing games. The next morning, people gather around the mejis and throw pithas (rice cakes) and betal nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the Fire God and mark the end of the harvesting year.

Urban Bihu

The rural festival made its transition to urban life when Radha Govinda Baruah organized the first Bihu festival in Lataxil field in Guwahati about six decades ago. Unlike the rural version, the dancers danced on a makeshift elevated stage in an open area that came to be known as a Bihutoli. Many such Bihutolis have sprouted since then in Guwahati and other urban areas. The traditional snacks, pitha, that each household made are now available in the market, and Bihu songs sell briskly in cassette and CD's during the Bihu season. The commercialization of Bihu is continuing.