Culture of Assam

Culture of
Assam
By :
❖ Raj Kalita
❖ Sasanka Kataki
❖ Nilabh Deka
❖ Arnab Jyoti Roy
❖ Aminur Rahman
( Branch – IE)
The people of the enchanting state of Assam are an intermixture
of various racial stocks such as Mongoloid, Indo- Burmese, Indo-
Iranian and Aryan.
⚫ The Assamese culture is a rich and exotic tapestry of

all these races evolved through a long assimilative
process.
⚫ The natives of the state of Assam are known as
"Asomiya" (Assamese), which is also the state language of
Assam.
⚫ The state has a large number of tribes, each unique in
its tradition, culture, dress and exotic way of life.
Tribes:
• Diverse tribes like Bodo, Kachari, Karbi, Miri, Mishimi, Rabha, etc co-exist in Assam;
most tribes have their own languages though Assamese is the principal language of the
state.
Religion :
• A majority of the Assamese are Vaishnavas (a sect of Hinduism). The Vaishnavas do not
believe in idol worshiping and perform "Naamkirtana", where the glory of Lord Vishnu is
recited.
• Villagers generally associate on the basis of membership of a local Centre of devotional
worship called "Naamghar". Villages are usually made up of families from a number of
distinct castes.
Festivals:
❖The state festival of Assam is the Bihu which is celebrated in three
parts during a year with great pomp and grandeur by all Assamese,
irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
❖The quintessential symbols are the Asomiya "Gamucha", "Jaapi",

"TamulPaan" and "Xorai". Traditional attire worn by women called the
"Mekhela Chador" and Assamese jewellery also form an integral part
of the Assamese culture.
“GAMOCHA”
❖ The "Gamucha" is one of the most easily recognizable
cultural symbols of the Assamese people and is an
integral part of almost all socio-religious ceremonies. It
is considered as an honorary piece of cloth commonly
used for felicitation in Assam.
❖ The "Gamucha", a white rectangular piece of cotton
hand woven cloth with primarily a red border on three
sides and red woven motifs on the fourth side.
❖ It is used as a towel, as a waistcloth or a loincloth; a
Bihu dancer wraps it around the head in a knot, it is also
hung around the neck at the prayer hall and thrown
over the shoulder to signify social status or respect.
❖ Significantly the "Gamucha" is used equally by all,
irrespective of religious and ethnic backgrounds.
“JAAPI”
❖ The "Jaapi" is a traditional conical hat
from Assam which is made from tightly
woven bamboo and/or cane and
"Tokoupaat", a type of large palm leaf.
The word "Jaapi" derives from Jaap
meaning a bundle Tokou leaves
❖ "Jaapi" is worn in a style of Bihu dance,
used as protection against the elements,
offered as a sign of respect in
ceremonies.
❖ Plain "Jaapi" were used by farmers for
protection from the sun and rain while
working in the fields.
❖ Ornate "Jaapi" were worn as a status
symbol by Assamese royalty and nobility.
“XORAI”
• "Xorai" a traditional symbol of Assam, is a
manufactured bell- metal product and is
considered as an article of great respect by
the people of Assam.
• There are "Xorai's" with or without a cover
on the top. Hajo and Sarthebari are the most
important centers of traditional bell-metal
and brass crafts in Assam.
• "Xorai's"are used to offer "Tamul Paan" as a
sign of welcome and thanks for guests. It is
also used as a utensil to offer Prasad, food
and other items in front of the Lord in an altar
or "Naamghar".
• "Xorai"s" are also used as decorative pieces
and are also offered as a gift to a person of
honour during felicitations.
“BIHU”
▪ Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam.
Bihu dances are performed by young boys and
girls during the Bihu festivities which
represent youthful passion, reproductive urge
and joy.
▪ It is characterized by brisk dance steps and
rapid hand movement. Dancers wear
traditional colorful Assamese clothing.
▪ The dances are accompanied by musical
instruments like "Dhol" (Dholak), pepa,
gogana, banhi(flute) etc.
▪ Though the origin of the Bihu dance is
unknown, the first official endorsement is
cited to be when Ahom king Rudra Singha
invited Bihu dancers to perform at the
Ranghar fields sometime around 1694 on the
occasion of Rongali Bihu.
“SATRIYA NRITYA”
• Satriya Nritya is the classic dance form of Assam which
represents the Satriya culture, the basis of the religious
and cultural fabric of Assam.
• It is one among eight principal classical Indian dance
traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have
been revived in the recent past.
• Satriya has remained a living tradition since its
creation by the founder of Vaishnavism in Assam, the
great saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century
Assam.
• The core of Satriya Nritya has usually been
mythological stories. This was an artistic way of
presenting mythological teachings to the people in an
accessible, immediate, and enjoyable manner.
“BAGURUMBA”
The Bodo community has many folk dances to boast.
Among them the best and the most attractive is the
Bagurumba dance.
▸ This is mainly a formation dance with slow steps and
outstretched hands. About a score of girls dressed in
colourful attire perform this dance to the accompaniment
of Bodo traditional musical instruments.
▸ A tourist in Assam can see this dance in the Bodo
inhabited areas of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Chirang ,Baksa,
Nalbari, Udalguri and Sonitpur districts.
▸ It is usually practiced during Baisagu, a festival of the
Bodos in the Bishuba Sankranti or mid-April.
▸ The Bagurumba dance is also called "butterfly dance"
because this attractive folk dance of the Bodo tribe of
Assam resembles the movement of birds and butterflies.
Music in Assam
• Assam, being the home to many ethnic groups and different cultures, is
rich in folk music. Traditional instruments include "Pepa", an instrument
made from buffalo horn and "Bholuka baahor toka", a musical instrument
made of split bamboo.
• The "Dhol" too is an important and quintessential instrument used in Bihu
dance.The "Dhol" is a double-sided barrel drum covered with goat, cow or
buffalo skin and is played with a stick on one side and a handon the other.
These are extensively used in Bihu Geets, dances, and have also become a
part of modern-day music.
• The "Gogona" is a type of jaw harp, a vibrating reed instrument that is
used primarily in the traditional Bihu music in Assam by the women folk. It
is made of a piece of bamboo/horn that has a bifurcation on one end.
“Cuisine of Assam”
• Tea or "Saah" in Assamese is an indispensable part of
Assamese cuisine. It is served in form of Black tea, Milk
tea, Spiced tea, Green Tea, Lemon tea etc.
• The traditional Assamese Breakfast comprises of
"Jolpaan" and "Pithas". Some types of "Jolpaan" are
Bora Saul (a variety of sticky rice), Komal Saul, Xandoh,
Chira, Muri, Akhoi, Sunga Saul etc. eaten in
combination with hot milk, curd, jaggery, yogurt or
seasonal ripe fruits.
• Pitha's and Laru's or Ladoo's are prepared especially
during the time of Bihu from rice flour, grated coconut,
sugar, jaggery etc. Laru's include sweet balls made from
coconut called the "Laskara" or the "Tilor Laru" made
from roasted sesame Seeds.
➢ Source:
.Google
.YouTube
.director of cultural affairs, assam

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Culture of

⚫ The Assamese culture is a rich and exotic tapestry of

❖The quintessential symbols are the Asomiya "Gamucha", "Jaapi",

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