Assam its plains, river Island ,majestic rivers and Hospitable Tribes
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| Assam Tea Garden |
Assam is a state in the north eastern part of India , this state is surrounded by six other states of north India and they are collectively known as "Seven Sister States". It also touches the Bengali speaking region state of West Bengal and borders with Bangladesh on its southern boarder. Having surrounded with so many cultures Assam has taken bits and pieces of the other cultures and integrated with its own in a very unique and beautiful way.
Its plains are beautifully carved by Brahmaputra making the largest river island in the world -"Majuli" . Its hill slopes are famous for Tea gardening and it is one of the largest Tea producers. This culture has many tribes and each tribe has its distinct culture but a festival which is common to most of the tribe is Bihu and the most famous among them is Rongali or Bohag Bihu.
Rongali Bihu is a sowing festival and is mostly associated with Rice cultivation. Rongali Bihu is celebrated on the onset on Assamese New Year and arrival of spring from 15th april (in 2019) and is celebrated for 7 days. 1st day is for cows which is very sacred to the people in the region , 2nd days is Human and 3rd day is celebrated as gods and deities day.
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| Majuli Island |
Traditional Foods and Drinks
The food is also very unique to the region few most famous dishes are
- A special chutney prepared from Jolpai, Indian Olive and Jaggery. It has a very distinct chocolaty color and is one of the favorites of the locals
Chutney - Fish Cury prepared from Rohu fish , lemon juice and many local spices . The dish is garnished with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
Rohu Fish Curry - Xaak Bhaji a dish prepared froma a fern they call Xaak .
Xaak Bhaji - Coconut Ladoo- It is a spherical shaped sweet dish made from dry coconut which is a common dessert for locals.
Coconut Ladoo - The drink is an Alcohol made from rice(rice bear), they drink it to win gods protection.
Apong - Rice beer
Rice Beer stored In Pot
Bihu Dress and Costumes
The costumes and dresses are mostly very simple which allow free limb movements.These simple dresses are accompanied with matching Jewelries.People dress in them for dance purpose.
Men wear cotton dress dhoti and gamocha and the women Mekhala- a lower body attire- and Chadar- an dress to cover upper part.
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| Women's attire |
Songs and Dance
Bihugeet and Bihu dance are performed in which both men and women participate.
Dance and song is accompanied with music . They use dhol, flute,xutuli,toka,taal, pepa(an instrument made of buffalo horns.
The dance is very vibrant and colorful which involves hip and leg movements. Bihu dance is also a fertility dance .
The culture is grandeur and its a life time memory. The festival touches us to the core and makes us think how simple the people are with bare minimum needs but still are satisfied. The culture inspire us and makes us appreciate the tribal and their age old tradition.
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