Assam Culture

The Culture of Assam is often referred to as hybrid culture. It has developed by the gradual assimilation of cultures and traditions of various ethno-cultural groups. Assamese culture is closely associated with some of the major elements like festivals, dance, music, paintings and traditional crafts.

A number of traditional festivals are celebrated in Assam , among them Bihu is the most important. Three Bihus are celebrated by the people of Assam, they are rongali or 'bohag bihu', celebrated at the onset of spring and the sowing season; kongali or 'kati bihu', when the farms are full with crops but the barns are empty; and the bhogali or 'magh bihu', the thanksgiving for the harvested crops. Rongali bihu is closely related to many Bihu songs and Bihu dances. The other traditional festivals celebrated by different ethno-cultural groups include Ali-aye-ligang, Hacha-kekan, Kherai, Porag, Awnkham Gwrlwi Janai, Chojun/Swarak, Me-dam-me-phi, Hapsa Hatarnai, Rongker, Sokk-erroi and Garja.

Culture of Assam is very rich in folk music, as it is inhabited by many ethnic groups. The traditional folk music has influenced the music of artists like Bhupen Hazarika, Parvati Prasad Baruva, Anima Choudhury Luit Konwar Rudra Baruah, Jayanta Hazarika, Utpalendu Choudhury, Khagen Mahanta, Nirmalendu Choudhury and many others. For more than two thousand years, various traditional crafts have evolved in Assam. The traditional crafts like pottery and terracotta work, bell metal and brass craft, jewelry making, musical instruments making, cane and bamboo craft, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, wood craft are a major source of self employment for the people of Assam.

Last Updated on 10 January 2011