Page 38 - MONSOON EDITION

EXPERT’S TALK

Insights from Abhijit Gogoi on
Festivals - Culture and Heritage

Mr Abhijit Gogoi General Manager
Nayara Energy Limited

1. Which are the main festivals of North Eastern
states of India?
When we talk of North Eastern states; they are Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland
and Tripura. They are known as the seven sister states.
On a simple note, it is difficult to point out the main festival of
these states. The fact is, this part of India is so diverse that
within the same state people speak different dialects, have
different customs and have different food habits. This is more
prevalent in the hill states of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Mizoram and Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26
major tribes, Meghalaya 3, Mizoram 5 and Nagaland 15.
Nyokum Festival

Majority of population of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland follow Christianity whereas
Hinduism is followed in Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
Following is the list of the major festivals of the seven sister states,
a. Arunachal Pradesh: Nyokum derived from the word Nyok means earth and Kum means togetherness is
a festival of inviting all the Gods and Goddess of the universe with the Nyokum Goddess as the principal
deity. This festival is commonly celebrated by all class of people for prosperity and happiness of all human

b. Assam: Bihu is the main festival. Bihu is celebrated in Assam three times in a year. Rongali or Bohag Bihu
in April, Kongali or Kati Bihu in October and Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January. All three Bihus are associated
with agriculture, and rice in particular. The Rongali Bihu is the most important of the three, is the spring
festival. The Kongali Bihu is the reflection of season of short supplies, an animistic one and the Bhogali Bihu
is the harvest festival with community feasts.
Rongali Bihu is the beginning of Assamese New year. Rongali Bihu starts with Goru Bihu (worshiping of cow)
followed by feasts, Bihu songs and Husori (the Bihu dance). Rongali Bihu is celebrated upto 7 days.
Bhogali Bihu

Rongali Bihu
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