Folk Culture, Bihu & Satriya
Folk culture, Bihu and Satriya form the heart of the Assam History and Culture section of the ADRE 3.0 Grade IV General Knowledge and Assam GK paper. Assam is a land of many communities, and its folk traditions, festivals, dances and music give the state its special identity. This topic tests the candidate's knowledge of the Bihu festivals, the Sattriya dance and the Sattras, the folk dances of different tribes, the musical instruments of Assam and the fairs and festivals celebrated through the year. Because the questions are simple, colourful and directly asked, a well-organised list of names and facts is enough to score full marks in this topic.
Meaning and Importance of Assamese Folk Culture
Folk culture means the traditional beliefs, customs, dances, songs, music, dress and festivals that are passed down from generation to generation among the common people. In Assam folk culture is especially rich because many communities such as the Assamese, the Bodos, the Mishings, the Karbis, the Dimasas, the Rabhas and the Deoris live together and each has its own traditions. Folk culture keeps the people united because these traditions are shared across language and community lines. The Vaishnavite movement of Srimanta Sankardeva added the Sattriya culture, which is a classical tradition born from folk roots.
The Three Bihus
- Bohag Bihu, also called Rongali Bihu or Baisagu, is celebrated in mid-April and marks the Assamese New Year and the beginning of the agricultural season.
- Kati Bihu, also called Kongali Bihu, falls in mid-October and is a quiet festival of the sowing season, when lamps are lit near the paddy fields and the tulsi plant.
- Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu or Maghar Domahi, is celebrated in mid-January after the harvest and is a festival of feasting and community meals.
Folk Dances of Assam
Assam has a large number of folk dances. The Bihu dance of the Assamese community is the best known, performed by young men and women with quick steps and graceful movements. The Bagurumba dance belongs to the Bodo community and is called the butterfly dance. The Bhortal dance uses cymbals and is performed in groups. The Jhumur dance is popular among the tea garden communities and the Adivasis. Other dances include the Deodhani dance, the Raas dance, the Oja-Pali performance and the various dances of the Karbi, Mishing and Dimasa communities. Each dance has its own costume, rhythm and occasion.
Sattriya Culture and Srimanta Sankardeva
Sattriya is the classical dance form of Assam, created by Srimanta Sankardeva in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries as part of the Vaishnavite movement. It was performed in the Sattras, the monasteries founded by Sankardeva and his followers, as a form of devotion to Lord Krishna. The Sattras are centres of religion, culture and learning, and the most famous among them are Kamalabari, Auniati, Dakhinpat and Barpeta. The Ankiya Naat is a one-act play written by Sankardeva, and Bhaona is its performance, staged in the village Namghar. Sattriya was recognised as a classical dance of India in 2000.
Musical Instruments of Assam
The traditional musical instruments of Assam include the dhol, a drum played with sticks; the pepa, a horn made from buffalo horn; the gogona, a small bamboo instrument played by women during Bihu; the xutuli, a clay whistle; the taal, a cymbal; the flute or bansuri; and the mridanga or khol, used in Sattriya performances. These instruments are used in folk dances, Bihu songs and religious music, and they are an important part of Assamese identity.
Fairs, Festivals and Tribal Traditions
Assam celebrates many fairs and festivals. The Ambubachi Mela at the Kamakhya temple is attended by pilgrims from far and wide. The Me-Dam-Me-Phi is the ancestor worship festival of the Ahoms. The Ali-Ai-Ligang is the festival of the Mishing community. The Bwisagu is the New Year festival of the Bodos. The Jonbeel Mela of the Tiwa community is famous for its barter system. The Raas Mahotsav, the Durga Puja, the Bihu and the Bhaona are celebrated across the state, and they show the unity and diversity of Assamese culture.
How This Topic Appears in the Examination
The topic is usually asked as a small group of one-mark objective questions. The questions ask for the name of a festival, the community that performs a particular dance, the founder of the Sattras, the name of a musical instrument or the month in which a festival is celebrated. Because the facts are short and memorable, this topic rewards careful listing and regular revision.
Memory Tips
Remember the three Bihus in order as Bohag or Rongali in April, Kati or Kongali in October and Magh or Bhogali in January. Link Sattriya with Srimanta Sankardeva and the Sattras, and remember that it was recognised as a classical dance in 2000. Group the folk dances by community, such as Bihu for the Assamese and Bagurumba for the Bodos. Keep the musical instruments in a small list with their material, such as pepa from buffalo horn and gogona from bamboo. A chart of festivals and their months is the best revision aid.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the three Bihus and their months.
- Mixing the Bihu dance with the Bagurumba dance.
- Forgetting that Sattriya is a classical dance and not only a folk dance.
- Confusing the communities that celebrate Ali-Ai-Ligang and Bwisagu.
- Mixing the names of the folk musical instruments.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Make a list of the three Bihus and the month of each.
- List the main folk dances with the community that performs them.
- Learn about Srimanta Sankardeva, the Sattras and the Sattriya dance.
- Prepare a table of musical instruments and their materials.
- Revise the fairs and festivals of different communities.
Additional Points to Remember
The Bihu dance and the Bihu songs are closely connected with agriculture, love and nature. The Husk ceremony and the Meji are important parts of Magh Bihu. The Sattras are not only religious centres but also schools of dance, music and drama. Sankardeva wrote many Borgeets, or devotional songs, which are sung even today. The Namghar, or prayer hall, is the centre of village cultural life. The tribes of Assam each have their own colourful festivals and dances, and together they make the cultural map of Assam very rich.
Advanced Tips
When a question mentions a dance, remember the community, the occasion and the costume, because any of these can be asked. When a question mentions a festival, connect it with the community and the month, since these are the two most common ways of testing the topic. Do not confuse the classical Sattriya dance with the folk Bihu dance, as one grew out of the Vaishnavite movement and the other out of the agricultural life of the people. Remember the year 2000 for the recognition of Sattriya as a classical dance. Revising a single cultural chart of festivals, dances and instruments helps to fix the whole topic in memory.
Related Topics
Folk culture, Bihu and Satriya are closely related to the other topics of Assam's History and Culture. They connect with Assamese literature, because Sankardeva's plays and songs are part of both literature and culture. They connect with the Ahom and Koch kingdoms, whose kings patronised the Sattras and the Vaishnavite movement. They also connect with the study of Assamese society and the freedom struggle, in which folk culture played a role in building unity. Studying these topics together gives a complete picture of Assamese life.
Quick Revision Checklist
- Bohag or Rongali Bihu in April, Kati or Kongali in October, Magh or Bhogali in January.
- Bihu dance is Assamese; Bagurumba dance is Bodo.
- Sattriya dance was created by Srimanta Sankardeva and recognised as classical in 2000.
- Sattras are monasteries such as Kamalabari, Auniati and Barpeta.
- Pepa is made from buffalo horn and gogona from bamboo.
- Ali-Ai-Ligang is the Mishing festival and Bwisagu is the Bodo New Year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three Bihu festivals of Assam?
The three Bihus are Bohag or Rongali Bihu in April, Kati or Kongali Bihu in October and Magh or Bhogali Bihu in January.
Who created the Sattriya dance?
Srimanta Sankardeva created the Sattriya dance as part of the Vaishnavite movement, and it was recognised as a classical dance of India in 2000.
Which community performs the Bagurumba dance?
The Bagurumba dance, also called the butterfly dance, is performed by the Bodo community of Assam.
What is a Sattra?
A Sattra is a monastery founded by Sankardeva and his followers, and it serves as a centre of religion, culture, dance and learning.
Which festival is celebrated by the Ahom community?
Me-Dam-Me-Phi is the ancestor worship festival of the Ahoms, and it is one of the important festivals of Assam.