We, the Assamese people and the Magh Bihu

Today is Magh Bihu,one of the most important festivals of the Assamese community. This is a harvest festival, celebrated after  the crops are gathered from the fields and the granaries are full.

Magh Bihu is accompanied by much feasting and preparation of delicacies  - so it is also called ‘Bhogali Bihu’ from the Sanskrit word ‘Bhog’ which means pleasure or enjoyment.

Historically, Magh Bihu is believed to have originated around 3500 BC.  For many centuries, the festival lasted the whole Hindu month of Magh ( which starts from 14^th January to about 14^th February), but now it is celebrated only  on the first 2 days of the month.

The word ‘Bihu ‘ is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Bishu’ or Vishu.  Another source is said  to be the  Sanskrit word bisuvan  which refers to a day in which a fire sacrifice is made -   Magh bihu is characterized by lighting a bonfire of large stacks of firewood  and straw called a Meji. The  word bisuvan  is present in  the sacred hindu texts  atharvaveda and aitareye brahmana.

 Another source of origin is said to be a festival called  bisuva , mentioned in the Vishnu purana that took place between winter and spring when the sun changed its position from one sign of the zodiac to the next.

The celebration od Magh Bihu falls on the sankranti (cusp) of the two months Puh. It marks the day when the sun  transmigrates from its zodiac and moves northwards from Tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn.  Since capricorn is called ‘ makar’ in Sanskrit, this time period  is also known as Makar Sankranti.

Maker Sankranti celebrated as many festivals  across the country. Its called Thai pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Maghi in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Lohri in Punjab.

In Assam, it is celebrated as Magh or Bhogali Bihu. The celebrations start on the day before the Bihu on the last day of the month of Puh,  usually the 13^th of January.  Villages organize community fishing in the local beels and waterbodies. The fish catch is then prepared to be  cooked in Uruka - a grand  community feast held at  night on this day.

During the day, people make the Meji - a makeshift structure of bamboo, straw and dry tree branches.

Mejis being built in fields empty after the harvest.

Another thatched hut is made called the Bhelaghar. It is here that  the Uruka feast is held.  All the people of the village come together to prepare a large number of delicacies –  a number of dishes including mutton, chicken, duck and  fish dishes   in a variety of styles and flavours.  A typical Uruka menu is seen here - Foodaholix .

The uruka is  a time of great  merrymaking   with  music and dancing to Bihu geets. The young men of the village stay up all night in the bhelaghar guarding the Meji.

A typical Uruka feast

The next day is the is the first day of the month of Magh, the  day of Magh Bihu . Very early in the morning, People gather round to make a  bonfire of the Meji. As an honour to  Agni , the god of fire  and as a thanksgiving for a good harvest, delicacies like laroos and pithas are placed in the fire as  offerings to Agni Devata.

Bihu delicacies - laroo, different types of pitha, doi, chira etc

These delicacies are prepared in advance by women -  some of these delicious snacks are seen here -  Magh Bihu Delicacies

Usually a number of raw, immature bamboos are placed inside the Meji. The sap inside the bamboo steams up  and the bamboos  burst with a sharp crack known as 'hiloi phuta’ , causing  great fun among the onlookers.

A  lighted meji

The rest of the day, people visit each other's houses to pay respect to the elders of the community as well as to sample the various snacks and delicacies offered. 

This is also the day when a number of  traditional sports, animal and bird  fights  are held. Sports like  tekeli bhonga (breaking the pot)  and egg fight ( the winner is the one whose egg does not get broken) are highly popular.

An important aspect of Magh Bihu  were the traditional cock fights, bull fights and bulbuli bird fights. These fights probably started in the mid 12 th century  under the Ahom kings. They used to  cause much enthusiasm among people and people came from far and near to watch them. 

These however, have no religious significance and are played simply for some competitive enjoyment. The birds that are caught for the sports (few days before the events) are fed nutritiously and also trained. The owner of the winning bird or buffalo takes away a cash prize and a trophy as collectible. In the end all the birds are freed.

 

A cock fight

Bulbuli fight

The buffalo fights used to take place mainly at Ahotguri in central Assam’s Morigaon district and Sivasagar in eastern Assam. The fights entailed cash prizes for the winners.

The animal fights have now been banned by the Supreme courts of India. This is the second year in which the fights will not take place. But unable to give up a centuries old tradition, some  'token' fights of buffaloes will be organised on Sunday (15^th January).

Buffalo fight

In urban areas, the festival is celebrated in a toned down manner – while some women (including me J) still  prepare delicacies like pitha and laroos at home, many  people  prefer to buy these essential Bihu snacks which are now commercially available. Making these snacks is a time consuming and labor intensive work. They are now available at ‘bhogali bihu melas’ held in different parts of the  city. These melas see a heavy rush of people before and during Bihu.

At home, our family got together  for the Uruka feast, making as many of the traditional dishes as possible. A small bonfire in lieu of the meji was set up in the backyard. We roasted potatoes in the fire – they were really tasty. Sitting around the bonfire, eating and talking – I coudn’t help thinking   how great it was for the the whole family to be together at least once a year and that this was one of the best aspects of this festival.

The next day  we  visited some of our other relatives, again not something we do on a regular basis. This is again another part of the festival which is very important  and which needs to be stressed on more and more in today's world.

Bhogali Bihu is essentially a rural festival of the traditional Assamese community. The Mejis and Bhelaghars are not seen in urban areas.  But  the feasting and the various sports are still conducted with great enthusiasm in different parts of the city. And these has been  very successful in bringing the community together.