Bwisagu Festival: Bwisagu is the most awaited seasonal festival for the Bodos. It is observed at the beginning of the first month of the Boro year, in mid-April, coinciding with the Assamese Bohag Bihu. The festival is a blend of cultural traditions, music, dance, and rituals.
In this article, we will discuss the Bwisagu festival of Bodos. Read the article to know more about the festival.
The Celebration of Bwisagu Festival
Bwisagu is a seasonal festival celebrated by the Bodos and lasts for several days. It begins before the first day of the new year or on Sankranti day as a way to bid farewell to the previous year. During this time, they say goodbye to the year by observing a tradition called “Gwkha-Gwkhwi Janai,” which involves eating bitter and sour-tasting wild vegetables.
The Bodo community celebrates Bwisagu, starting with a ritual called “Mwsou Thukhwinai,” where cows are bathed in the river. Before this, the cattle are offered paddy, and their horns and hooves are smeared with mustard oil. Their bodies are marked with a mixture of black ashes and mustard oil using the Eri tree stem, and they are adorned with garlands of gourd and brinjals.
Before leading the cows out, the owner shows respect to them. As the cowherds guide the cows to the river, they sing and lightly beat the animals with the “Dighalati” plant. Afterward, cow dung cakes are discarded, the shed is cleaned, and old ropes (phage) are replaced with new ones.
On the second day, the Bodos worship their God and Goddess. The third day is dedicated to “Saima,” which is meant for dogs, while the fourth day is for “Oma,” intended for swine. The fifth day honors “Dao,” which is for fowl, and the sixth day is for ducks and other birds. Finally, the seventh day is set aside for receiving relatives and friends.
During the Bwisagu, the people enjoy and perform the Bagurumba dance, often called the “Butterfly Dance,” which is the main dance of the festival. Dancers, dressed in colorful traditional attire, move gracefully to the rhythm of indigenous musical instruments. Bwisagu is a time for feasting, visiting relatives, and strengthening community bonds. People enjoy traditional Bodo delicacies, including rice beer and various rice-based dishes.
A Glimpse of the Bwisagu Celebration in 1960.
Rituals Conducted During Bwisagu
The Bodos perform certain rituals on the occasion me the Bwisagu festival:
- Worshiping the ancestors.
- Bid farewell to the previous year.
- Pay respect to the elderly persons.
- Exchange love and affection.
- Dance and sing songs.
- Worship their God (Bwrai Bathow Maharaja) with the hope of more and more production and growth in cultivation.
- On the seventh day, bid farewell to “Bwisagu.”
Dress and Customs of Bwisagu Festival
- Dhokona
- Gamsa
- Aronai
Instruments of Bwisagu Festival
- Kham (drum)
- Siphung (flute)
- Jotha (cymbal)
- Thorkha (a kind of instrument made by bamboo)
Images of the Bwisagu Festival Celebration
Photos from the Bwisagu Festival Celebration is provided below-
Important Links
Visit Bodopedia | |
Join Groups |
FAQs
1. When is the Bwisagu Festival celebrated?
The Bodo people’s new year, the Bwisagu festival, is celebrated in mid-April, starting on April 14.