What is "bihu"

n. A set of three different cultural festivals of Assam and Assamese diaspora.

The key musical instruments - Dhol, Pepa and Taal used during Bihu song / dance.

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Bihu dancer playing a ' pepa' (horn)

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A group of Bihu dance performers

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Bihu denotes a set of three different cultural festivals of Assam and celebrated by the Assamese diaspora around the world. Though they own their origins to ancient rites and practices, and it has taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus in the recent decades. Bihu is also used to imply Bihu dance and Bihu folk songs. The Rongali Bihu or the Bohag Bihu is an important festival of Assam. The most important festivals of Assam are the Bihus, celebrated with fun in abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, and belief.

In Assam, Rongali Bihu draws from many different traditions— Austro-Asiatic, Sino-Burmese and Indo-Aryan—and is celebrated with great fervor. Celebrations begin in the middle of April and generally continue for a month. This is the traditional new year. In addition there are two other Bihus: Kongali Bihu in October (associated with the September equinox) and Bhogali Bihu in January (associated with the January solstice). Like some other Indian festivals, Bihu (all three) is associated with farming; as the traditional Assamese society is predominantly agricultural. In fact, similar festivals are also celebrated around the same time elsewhere in India. Bihu is also celebrated overseas by the Assamese community living in different countries around the globe.

1. Culture of Assam - Government Of Assam, India↩
2. http://focusa2z.com/digitization-of-culture-and-modern-bihu-in-assam/ Modern Bihu in Assam↩

Bihu could mean:

• The Bihu festivals of Assam.
• Bihu dances
• Bihu songs
• Bihu Songs of Assam, a book authored by Prafulladutta Goswami.

Category:Culture of Assam