Bohag not only signals the advent of Spring and Green, but also elevates the sentiment and emotions of the people of Assam, and other regions in the country. It is never considered as merely the arrival of a new month in a calendar but is a signal of the continuity of a tradition, of renewed hopes and aspirations, and dreams. It signals the arrival of festivity and high spirits which heightens the cultural and artistic senses as much as the social life of the people of Assam.
The natural surrounding is bathed and enveloped in green all through. No wonder most of the region’s folk beliefs are built around this month and time of the year. For example, one of the most frequently used words in Bohag as a natural phenomenon is ‘Bordoisila’ In Boro language, bar means wind, dai means water and chikhla means girl. In time, Bardaichikhla became known as Bordoisila in Assamese, signalling stormy winds and rains caused by the return of a young maiden to her mother’s home.
The seven-day Bohag Bihu begins on the day of Chat-Bohag Sankranti, the day of Garu Bihu. On the morning of Garu Bihu, the cows are bathed with honey & turmeric, a ritual which has a long history of beliefs attached to it.
There are also many rituals associated during the Bohag bihu, in the evening leaves of dried rice, sugarcane, tuh, dighalati, makhiyati, etc., are burnt to make them smoky. It is popularly believed that this can prevent many diseases.
Depending on the place, on the day of Garu Bihu or Manuh Bihu, auspicious words are written on nahar leaves and hung on the doorsteps and roofs of houses – Dev Dev Mahadev Nilgriva Jatadhar, Bat Bristi Harang Dev Mahadev Namastute. It is believed that this satisfies Lord Shiva and removes evils from the house.
On the first day of Bohag, it is customary to serve the Gosai (God) and take Bihuan (a token of love). The younger takes blessings from the older and prays for a safe year ahead. This year, the Government of Assam distributed Bihuan as a gift to around 10 lakh people from Assam and outside the State involving a record 5.64 lakh indigenous artisans through its ambitious Swanirbhar Nari initiative.
Another item associated with Bohag Bihu is Barhamthuri. The dancers wore the balls of barhamthuri on their lips during Bihu. The Hemkosha mentions it as the ‘the stem or leaf of a tree, chewed with coconut or purely, which turns the lips and tongue black’
Bohag Bihu is incomplete without olive trees and parrot flowers. It is said that applying olive oil to the hands and feet on the day of Garu Bihu prevents rashes.
There are different types of ceremonies and rituals that are performed during Bihu. It is also believed that the tradition of consuming 101 types of vegetables helps to cure diseases. Some of the vegetables used by the different ethnic groups of Assam are – Dhekia, Tikni Baroua, Nefafu, Banjaluk, Spinach, Vedailta, Lor Baroua, Khutra, Kalmau, Mati Kaduri, Manimuni, Mahanim, Narsingh, Cannabis, Cannabis, Kerala, Eggplant, Barthekera, Bihalangi. These vegetables are also known as masandari, jilmil, mandhania, jetuli paka, shuklati, doron, banana peach, pirali paleng, brahmi, pirali kunwari, pipli, etc.
Bohag comes alive in such different traditions and folk beliefs. Musical instruments like drums and tambourines add spice to an already enthused populace. Bohag brings a new wave of creation. Therefore, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The Bard of Assam, has famously said and immortalised these lines: Bohag eti maatho makho nohoi kulire mat, Bohag eti novo novo chintar sanchipat, puthire pat e ujlay jibon akash (Roughly translated as: Spring is not just a season or a month, but the springboard of a renaissance)
