Bihu

Culture fascinates me. The thing I love most about being here in India is getting to experience new aspects of the culture every day. There is no limit to cultural experiences here as there are so many different cultural groups that make up this country.

Monday, April 14 marked the first day of the Hindu solar calendar. Here in the state of Assam the celebration is called Bihu. This day is also celebrated in other places where it is called by different names. April 13 was the first day of Bihu, the last day of the year. This day is known as Goru Bihu, a festival of cows. On Goru Bihu cows are washed and worshiped. April 14 is Manuh Bihu, a festival for people. On this day the different tribes dress in their traditional clothing and perform traditional tribal dances. On Manuh Bihu children are given new clothes, elders are shown great respect and their blessings are sought. People visit their families and friends where they are honored with the gifts of a gamosa, known on Bihu as a bihuwan. The gamosa is an article of great significance for the Assamese people. It is generally a white rectangular piece of hand woven cotton cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth. There are also two other Bihus that are celebrated by the Assamese people: Kongali Bihu in October (associated with the September equinox) and Bhogali Bihu in January (associated with the January solstice).

Sarbananda Nath, the headmaster of the Bread of Life Academy, invited us to his home in the village of Changsari. I knew that it was a holiday but I was expecting a simple visit to Sarbananda's home, instead we got to have a wonderful taste of Assamese culture.

Sarabananda, his wife (shame on me, I have forgotten her name!) and their son, Simon live in a simple bamboo home with a mud floor. In the front room there is a large loom set up where Sarbandanda's wife weaves gamosas to sell. Each one of us was presented with a gamosa that she had personally hand woven. I can honestly say that they are the nicest ones that I have seen. She told us that on average she makes one gamosa per day. There were 8 of us as guests so it took her at least 8 days to make the gamosas she gave to us that day.

Here she is showing Shyam how to weave a gamosa on the loom.

She has presented Ray with his gamosa and is kneeling at his feet for a blessing.

The same was repeated with Ellen. Kneeling to receive a blessing is only done to those who are older than the host.

Ray and Ellen with their gamosas.


We were fed all kinds of Assamese sweets...it was all really yummy except for the buffalo curds on rice. I think it must be an acquired taste.

At one point we were called to go to the street and watch a procession of Assamese dancers. It was so neat to see the traditional outfits and dancing and to listen to the singing. The funniest thing was thing was that I think we white folk were almost more entertaining for those in the procession than they were for us. One guy actually took our picture as he walked by us. It was great to listen to Sarbananda explain different aspects of the Assamese culture. He is very proud of his Assamese heritage.

The beginning of the procession.

The tradaitional outfit worn by the Assamese women is called mekhla chadar. It is a two-piece outfit made from Muga silk.

This little boy was the cutest thing all decked out in his traditional Assamese garb and drum. I believe he is one of Sarbananda's nephews. I could be wrong on the exact relation.


More children in their traditional outfits.

A group shot before leaving the Nath household.

After leaving Sarbananda's home we were ushered over to his relatives homes. We visited four homes in all. At each house we were honored by the presentation of gamosas and served traditional Assamese sweets. By the fourth house I was about ready to burst I was so full of sweets and tea! Something especially neat about visiting these homes was that they are all homes of LST readers that the Muirheads had read with while they were here and whom I will be doing follow up with. It was good to make connections with them and their families in this way.

While we were visiting Sarbananda shared with the us the way the way that he has been shunned by his community since accepting Christ and choosing to follow Him. Initially his entire extended family was shunned by the community but in order to lessen the burden on his family, he has chosen to distance himself, his wife and his son from their extended family. By doing this his extended family does not suffer the same shunning that he does for his commitment to Christ. Sarbananda, his wife and son are the only Christians in his family, the rest are Hindu. Sarbananda, his wife and his young son ar enot permitted to participate in any of the community events or gatherings. They are virtually outcasts in their own community. Sarbananda's story clearly illustrated for me the sort of things a Hindu person sacrifices when they choose to follow Christ. I admire Sarbananda greatly for his faith and commitment to Christ.

On our way home to Guwahati we made a stop at Kalapani which included a little business transaction at the lumber yard. Would you believe that we were invited in and served more sweets at the lumber yard? Can't imagine that ever happening in Canada.

I think this is a cute picture of Raysha and our kids wearing their gamosas. Andrew is wearing his in the typical style of an Assamese dancer.

The last picture may have been cute but this picture is more typical. :) I love these three!