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Baishagu Festival Assam

Bwisagu or Baisagu is one of the most popular seasonal festival of the Bodos of Assam. In Assamese language it is called as Bihu. The Bodos call this popular festival as Baisagu, which means the start of the new year. Baisagu is a Boro word which originated from the word "Baisa" which means year or age, ang "Agu" that means starting or start. Hence, Baisagu, the starting time of the year or age. This Baisagu festival is observed at the starting part of the first month of the Assamese year.

Celebrating Baishagu Festival
On different days of the Baishagu Festival, different activities are performed. More specifically, a cow is worshipped on the first day the festival. The next day this festival is marked by the youngsters of each family bowing down to their parents and elders, respectfully. This day is the starting date of the month of Bohag. They then offer chicken and zou (rice and beer) to Lord Shiva, also known as Bathou. This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Offering chicken and zou to Him is a way of worshiping the supreme deity.

A noteworthy feature of this festival is the Bagarumba dance. This dance is considered to be the most attractive dance of the Bodo community and is also known by the name of Bardwisikhla. Different dance forms are typified and identified by different types of dress codes or costumes. Similarly, Bagarumba dance form can also be recognized in terms of Dokhnas (draped skirts) chaddar (cloth used as a bodice) and jhumra (shawls). They are the prerequisites to perform this dance form for the girls. The girls look like pretty, flighty butterflies as they dance with their arms outstretched, their shawls creating the impression of wings. It is for this reason that this dance form is also known as the Butterfly Dance. During the performance of this dance form, the men are engaged in playing traditional musical instruments like the serja (a bowed instrument), sifung (flute), tharkha (a piece of split bamboo) and khum (a long drum made of wood and goatskin).

They also utter ‘bagurumba hay bagurumba’, while playing the musical instruments. Characteristically, the music is serious and the lyrics that accompany it are a simple description of the world of nature. It creates a cheerful and festive mood, thus stimulating enjoyment and merrymaking. The prime reason behind the performance of this dance is to pacify the supreme god of the Bodos named, Bathow. This God is symbolized by the Sizu tree. This festival is also perceived as a source of relief for the girls from their normal hardworking village life. A person of any age can participate in this dance. It is also evident that gender of a person is not at all a bar during the performance of this dance form.

Fairs and Festivals in Assam

Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam have their roots in the diverse faith and belief of her inhabitants, but a spirit of accommodation and togetherness characterizes the celebration of all festivals. The perfect fusion of heritage of her numerous races has made Assam the home of the most colorful festivals which are passionate, compelling and mesmerizing reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestlye of the people of Assam.

Fair and Festivals By States

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