111th annual Suwari Bihu festival celebrated in Boko

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKO: The 111th Annual Suwari festival was celebrated in Suwori Field at Boko in Kamrup district on Thursday. Hundreds of people from various places came to celebrate the festival. The annual festival is celebrated on the 7th day of the Rongali Bihu Festival.

Situated in the southern end of the Kamrup District, Boko is an enchanting paradise inhabited by different indigenous communities and ethnic groups - Rabha, Bodo, Garo, Gorkha, Koch Rajbongshi as well as people of other castes and communities.

Such a unique melting pot of cultures have been enmeshed in a rich and intangible cultural heritage. ‘Suwari’ is an attempt to showcase and propagate the rich tapestry of this diverse fabric, each having their own specialty in terms of cultural heritage. Among others, ‘Hana Ghora’ ‘Paro Bah’ and breathtaking traditional sports are the main attractions during this festival.

Deepak Kumar, organizer of the festival said elaborated about ‘Hana Ghora’. He said, “God Siva while travelling along his wife’s dead body he met Hanas (Garo) people in this area. Along with God Siva, Goddesses Kali also came to the area on horseback. After his departure, Hanas (Garo) made a horse of bamboo. After a long time this horse became famous as Hana Ghora dance and Rabha-Kachari also performed this dance. During this dance ‘Kodal’ (spade) and drum are used. Before the dance is performed, they pray to the Goddesses and offer one pair of chicken, wine, eggs, sindur, mustard oil. ‘Hana Ghora’ always dances along with two armed guards.”

He also elaborates about ‘Paro Bah’. He said, “‘Paro Bah’ was the younger sister of ‘Hana Ghora’. She also prayed and offered just like ‘Hana Ghora’ before visiting all the residences of the village. ‘Paro Bah’ is made with a long straight jati bah (bamboo) and wrapped with red and white cloth while the body is covered with black, white and green cloth.”

A good number of people participated in various traditional sports like tug of war, oiled bamboo climbing, 100 metres race for boys and girls, horse race, women with earthen pots filled with water as a part of traditional game and also performed Bihu dance, Rabha dances are ‘Farkanti’, ‘Bogejari’, Boro dances ‘Dhwimali’ ; ‘Mawsaglang’, ‘Wangala Dance’ of Garos , Koch- Rajbongshi Dance and Gorkhali Dance etc.

Dr. Kamala Kanta Kalita, chairman of Assam Khadi and Village Industry Board, Pankaj Chakravarty, Director, Directorate of Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture, Assam, Former MLA of Boko LAC Jyoti Prasad Das, Executive Members of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Sumit Rabha, Aditya Rabha, Nagarmal Swagiyari and many other dignitaries took part in the day-long festival.