Magh Bihu

Textual Question Notes

Reading with Insight

1. The Uruka happens to be an important aspect of Magh Bihu. Give an elaborate account of the
celebrations associated with Uruka. (2020)

Ans: Magh Bihu is one of the most important festivals of Assam. It is the post-harvest winter festival
celebrated by the Assamese people in the month of Magh. Magh Bihu is also known as 'Bhogali Bihu' or
the Bihu of Enjoyment.

Uruka or the Bihu eve happens to be an important aspect of Magh Bihu. The womenfolk prepare
various food items viz. ' chira', 'pitha', 'laru', 'curd' and so on for the next day. The Uruka is not a one-day
affair as fuel, fish and meat are to be collected. In tribal societies, tribal women indulge in brewing rice
beer, usually undistilled, which takes four to five days to get matured during winter.

The young boys build a temple-like structure in a field called 'meji' with green bamboo, dried banana
leaves, and hay. Moreover, a hut-like structure known as 'bhelaghar' is also constructed. The cowherds
sometimes pass the night in Bhelaghar warming themselves by a fire. They also feast on the vegetable
stolen from the villager's garden and the eatables given to them.

Uruka festival can be celebrated as a family affair or communal.

2. People do not take the usual rice and curry on the Domahi or Samkranti day for their lunch. What are
the different kinds of food items that people have for lunch on this particular day?

Ans: On the 'Domahi' or 'Sankranti' people do not take the usual rice and curry for their lunch instead
they take various food items like chira, pitha, laru, curd and so on. A special preparation is 'mah-
kara'(mah-mare)- a combination of roasted rice, blackgram, sesame, and pieces of ginger. Another
preparation is 'tekeli-pitha' which is like idle but larger. It is salted rice powder steamed on the mouth of
a small pitcher or a kettle. 'Sunga-pitha' is another food item which is moist rice powder put in a green
bamboo tube and roasted in the fire. Earlier salt was the only ingredient mixed with the rice powder but
at present. Some people prefer sweet variety.

In the upper Assam 'Sunga-saul' is a popular food item among the people. It is the sticky bora rice
steamed in a bamboo tube. When cooked, the sticky roll is made into pieces and eaten with milk and
gur. Fried pitha is another preferable food item for the people of upper Assam. The most important
thing is that meat is not allowed on the Domahi or Samkranti day.

3. Although the Kacharis, the most numerous tribe of Assam, have similar customs like the Magh Bihu,
they differ in certain features. Describe the manner in which the Kacharis celebrate their festival during
the time of Assamese Magh Bihu.
Ans: Tribes of Assam are often recognized as the first inhabitants of the land who belong to various
tribal groups. Among them, the Kacharis are the most numerous tribe of Assam constituting a large part
of the population of Assam. The Kacharis follow similar customs during the time of Assamese Magh Bihu
but these customs differ in certain features like other Assamese people, the Kacharis also tie cords
round fruit-bearing trees. They offer rice to birds, fishes, and land animals like dogs and pigs. Further, on
the Domahi day, they put a mark of water mixed with cow-dung around their granary. On the seventh
day of the Magh Bihu i.e sixth Magh, the Kacharis again clean their utensils. Sacrifice fowl to Bathou,
their god, and go out carol singing, collecting eatables. In their word, this custom is known as 'magan' or
'begging'.

Another noteworthy feature is that Kacharis consider the construction of the Bhelaghars and setting
fire to them to be the exclusive privilege of cowherd boys. The boys burn the Bhelaghars before dawn,
before the crows come out of their nests. The leading cowherd accompanied by the other boys of the
village, prays for the glory and prosperity of the village while setting fire to the Bhelaghar.

Thus the kacharis celebrate their festival of Magh Bihu in a manner different from the Assamese
Magh Bihu in certain customs.

4. Describe the different kinds of sports and martial games associated with Magh Bihu. How did the
young people in earlier times prepare themselves for participating in the martial arts?

Ans: One Prominent feature of Magh Bihu is the holding of different kinds of sports and martial games.
Sports like wrestling, racing, jumping, buffalo fighting, egg fighting are associated with the Magh Bihu. In
earlier times young people used to play martial games like swordplay and javelin throwing which was
considered customary.

In earlier times, young people had to make special preparation for participating in the martial arts.
From weeks ahead, they used to make camps on dry river banks and exercise themselves in this art. This
preparation was done in order to make themselves ready to defend their land from aggressors.

5. Kati Bihu, according to the author, cannot be called a festival as such. How is Kati Bihu celebrated in
Assam?

Ans: According to the author Dr. Praphulladatta Goswami, Kati Bihu, held in the autumn season is a
festival of little significance. It has no public significance. The ritual associated with this Bihu is that in the
family yard light is put at the foot of the Tulsi plant and women and children sing hymns in this manner:

"Tulasi, O Mother, Tulsi,

You are Govinda's favourite,

Which way has Krishna gone,

Mother, tell us quickly."

The Tulasi plant is considered to be the symbol of Vrinda, one of the devotees of Lord Krishna.
 Another notable aspect of Kati Bihu is that the farmer takes certain steps for the protection of his
crops. He plants a small bamboo in the field and lights an earthen lamp at its foot. He may also whirl a
piece of bamboo and chant certain mantras with a view to protecting the maturing paddy from
destructive pests. Moreover, some farmers lit up a special kind of lamp, Known as the 'Akash banti' or
the sky lamp hanging from a tall bamboo. The Kacharis, the most numerous tribes of Assam put lamps at
the foot of the siju cactus, a symbol of their chief god Bathou, in the garden, at the granary, and in the
field.

As the Kati Bihu is not celebrated in a flamboyant manner like Bohag Bihu and Magh Bihu, the author
says, 'Kati Bihu cannot be called a festival as such'.

Previous Year paper notes

1. What does the term Domahi means? What do people usually have for lunch on that day? (2019)

Ans: The word Domahi means the junction of two months.

On the 'Domahi' or 'Sankranti' people do not take the usual rice and curry for their lunch instead they
take various food items like chira, pitha, laru, curd and so on.

2. How is the delicacy 'Sunga-pitha' prepared? (2019)

Ans: 'Sunga-pitha' is a type of pitha which is made from moist rice powder put in a green bamboo tube
and roasted in the fire. The ingredient mixed with the powder used to be salt but now-a-days some
people prefer a sweet variety.

In upper Assam, the people make 'Sunga-saul'(another name of sunga pitha) which is made from
the sticky bora rice steamed in a bamboo tube. When it is done, the sticky roll is made into pieces and
eaten mixed with milk and gur.

3. What are the different sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi? (2020)

Ans: The different sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi are wrestling, racing,
jumping, buffalo fighting, egg fighting.

4. Give an elaborate account of the celebration associated with Uruka, The important part of Magh
Bihu? (2020)

Ans: See Qno. 1 (Reading with insight)

Important Questions Answers

1. Magh Bihu is celebrated in which month?

Ans: Magh Bihu is celebrated in the month of Magh (January).

2. What is the other name of Magh Bihu?

3. What is the night before Magh Bihu is called?

Ans: Uruka.

4. What do the temple-shaped structures call?

Ans: Meji.

5. What do the hut-like structures call?

Ans: Bhelaghar

6. In which month Kati Bihu is celebrated?

Ans: October.

7. What is the other name of Kati Bihu?

Ans: Kongali Bihu.

8. Which tree is planted during Kati Bihu?

Ans: Tulsi plant.

9. How does the womenfolk prepare for the celebration of 'Uruka'?

Ans: On the day of 'Uruka' womenfolk prepare various food items like 'chira', 'pitha', 'laru', 'curd', and so
on. In tribal societies, tribal women indulge in brewing rice beer, usually, undistilled which takes four to
five days to get matured during winter.

11. Why does the author believe that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an Indo-Europen
origin?

Ans: The author believes that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an Indo-European origin. In
Magh Bihu, 'meji' is burnt and half-burnt bamboos are scattered in the fields or thrown near the fruit-
bearing trees with a belief that the ashes and half-burnt bamboos increase the fertility of fields and
gardens. Similarly, the Europeans who lighted Lantern and Midsummer fire also have belief in the
efficacy of aches and embers as a means of fertility. Even some follow the custom of tying bands of
straw round tree trunks to render them fruitful.

12. How can we assume the influence of Vaishnavism in the celebration of Magh Bihu?
Ans: In Magh Bihu, after the 'meji' and 'Bhelaghar' are burned, people hold a session of hymn-singing in
the accompaniment of kettledrums and large cymbals. The holding of hymn-singing or 'nam-prasanga' is
a noted feature of this month of Magh. In this aspect, one can assume the

FROM MODEL QUESTION BANK, Textual Questions & Additional,

Noted by Podmeswar & Edited by Kishan Sarkar

1.Very short answer question : 1 mark each

a. In which part of Assam does Magh Bihu have a stronger hold ?

Ans:-Magh Bihu, the post harvest winter festival seems to have a stronger hold on people of lower
Assam, not excluding the tribals .

b. What does the term Domahi mean?

OR - What is the meaning of domahi ?

Ans:-The term Domahi means the junction of two months.

Or:

The meaning of domahi is the junction of two months.

C. What is the Bihu eve known as?

Ans:- The Bihu eve is known as Uruka .

d. What is a Mah –Karai or Mah – Kare?

Ans:-Mah – Karai or Mah – Kare is a combination of roasted rice(ভজা চাউল), black gram(মাটি
মাহ) , sesame(তিল) and pieces of ginger(আদা) . When offered for chewing, it is smeared with oil .

e. What is the most numerous tribe of Assam ?

Ans:-The Kacharis is the most numerous tribe of Assam .

OR - In which season is Kati Bihu generally held ?

Ans :- In autumn season , kati bihu is celebrated .

Or - In autumn season, Kati Bihu is generally held .

g.What is the Tulasi plant symbolic of ?

Ans:-The Tulasi plant is symbolic of Vrinda, one of the devotees of Krishna.

h.Who is the chief god of the Kacharis ?

Ans:-Bathou is the chief god of the Kacharis .

2.Short answer questions : 2 marks each

a. How do the women folk prepare for the celebration of Uruka ?

OR - How do the women folk get ready for the bihu in the day of Uruka?

Ans:- In the day of “Uruka”, the women folk get ready for the next day with chira, pitha, laru, curd, tekeli
pitha, sunga pitha, laru and so on. In the day. fuel has to be gathered, fish has to be got from ponds or
streams and if possible some meat are too. In tribal setting, women prepare rice beer.

b. What is the importance of the Meji and Bhelaghar built for Magh Bihu ?

Ans:- The Meji and Bhelaghar built for Magh Bihu is a custom of the Magh Bihu . It is the most special for
the cowherds (garakhia) who pass the night in a Bhelaghar warming themselves by a fire and making use
of the vegetable . They steal the vegetables from the villagers’ gardens and the eatables that are given
them .` In the day of Magh Bihu, the malefolk and the children go to the Mejis and Bhalaghar where
offering of eatables are made of the god of fire , Agni. Then to caries of God’s name, fire is set to the
structures of meji or bhelaghar. It is believe that red flames warm the people so long shivering in cold
and the tube of bamboo burst like gunfire .
c. Why does the author believe that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an Indo-European
origin ?

Ans:-In the day of the Magh Bihu , the people set fire to the Bhalaghar and Meji with the cries of God’s
names. It is believe that red flames warm the people so long shivering in cold. After the fire, the half-
burn sticks are scattered(বিক্ষিপ্ত কৰা) in the fields and the pieces are thrown near the fruit
bearing trees as the belief of increasing the fertility(উৰ্বৰ) of fields and gardens. Europeans are also
performing the fire rituals. They light Lentern and Midsummer fire in the belief of the efficacy(কাৰ্য
ক্ষমতা) of ashes(চাই) and embers(এঙাৰ) as a means of fertility(উৰ্বৰ).

So, the author believes that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an Indo-European
origin.

e. Briefly describe the custom magan or begging associated with Kacharis ?

Ans:- On the seventh day of Magh Bihu, Kacharis clean the utensils(বাচন-বৰ্তন), sacrifice
fowls(কুকুৰা) to Bathou, their god and go out carol singing and collecting eatables . They call its
custom magan or begging.

f. What and why do the cowherd(গৰখীয়া) boys pray for while setting fire to the Bhelaghar?

Ans:- The cowherd boys burn the Bhelaghar before the dawn with a prayer “Glory , glory ,glory – glory to
our village !” . This prayer is prayed not to visit the disease in their village and increasing the paddy and
be riches also that their cattle may be large and strong like rhinoceros and the elephant.

g. Why does the author consider Kati Bihu as a festival of little significance ?

Ans:-The author considers Kati Bihu as a festival of little significance because it has no public significance
. It is a one day affair for the people of Assam .The people spend a short time for this festival . The
ploughmen only plant a small bamboo in the field and light and earthen lamp at its foot. Also in the
family yard a light is put at the foot Tulasi plant and women as well as children sing the prayer of Tulasi
only a short time of period at dusk .

People do not take the usual rice and curry on the Domahi or samkranti day for their lunch . What are
the different kinds of food items that people have for lunch on this particular day ? (Texual Q. No. 2)

OR - How do the people take the lunch on the Domahi and samkranti day or uruka ?
Ans:-The people take the lunch on the day of Domahi and samkranti day or uruka is not rice but chira ,
pitha , curd , mah – karai , takeli pitha, sunga pitha and so on .

k.What do the kacharis celebrated in kati bihu ?

Ans:- The kacharis put lamps at the foot of the siju cactus, symbols of their chief god “Bathou”, in the
garden, at the granary and in the field

Additional Questions And Answers:

1.When did the magh bihu held on people of lower Assam and upper Assam?(1 mark )

Ans:-The magh bihu festival holds on in post harvest winter.

2.What are the other name of Bohag bihu ,Kati bihu and Magh bihu? (2 marks )

Ans:-The other name of Bohag bihu is Rangali Bihu or Cheering bihu, the other name of Kati Bihu is
Kongali Bihu and the other name of Magh bihu is bhogali bihu or the bihu of enjoyment.

3.Which bihu is closely associated with a fire ceremony?(1 mark)

Ans:-In magh bihu, a fire ceremony is closely associated.

4.What is Uruka?(2 marks)

Ans:-Uruka is the bihu eve. It is the previous day of every bihu. In this day, the women folk get ready for
the next day with chira, pitha, laru,curd ,etc. In the same day, fuel has to be gathered, fish has to be got
from ponds, streams and if possible some meat are too. In tribal setting, women prepare rice beer.

5.What did the tribal setting of women prepare for the bihu or in Uruka ? (2 marks)

Ans:-In tribal setting of women prepare rice beer, usually undistilled(গেলা). In winter, they take four
or five days to get the beer matured.

6.How many days are needed for the beer matured in winter session?(1 mark)
Ans:-Four or five days are needed for the beer matured in the winter session.

7.Who is the writer of the lesson ‘Magh Bihu OR Maghar Domahi’? From which book this essay has been
extracted? (2 marks)

Ans:-Dr. Praphulladatta Goswasmi is the writer of the lesson, 'Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi'. This essay
is extracted from the book, “Festivals of Assam”.

8.What is the name of temple build in “Uruka” of magh bihu ? Who usually take a hand in this ? How
does it structure made? What is the other name of the temple? How it is look like and what is called the
hutlike?(1+1+1+1+1=5 marks)

Ans:- The temple-shaped build in ‘Uruka” of Magh Bihu is called ‘Meji’ and which are hut like those are
called ‘Bhelaghar’.

Usually, young lads take a hand in this.

The structure of Meji or Bhelaghar are made with green bamboo, dried banana leaves,
hay(খেৰ) and so on.

The other name of temple is Bhelaghar or Meji.

It’s look like a temple which is called Meji and which are hut like those are called ‘Bhelaghar’.

9.“The half-burnt sticks are scattered in the fields and pieces may be brought home to be thrown near
fruit-bearing trees”.

What is the belief /mention the belief of the half-burnt sticks that are scattered in the fields and
pieces may be brought home to be thrown near fruit-bearing trees? (2 marks)

Ans:-The belief is that the ashes and half-burnt bamboos increase the fertility of fields and gardens .

10. What is the belief of European on the lighted Lentern and midsummer fire? (2 marks)

Ans:-For the Europeans, it is belief that lighted Lentern and midsummer fire had the belief in the
efficacy(ফলপ্রসুতা) of ashes(ছাই) and embers(এঙাৰ) as a means of fertility(উৰ্বৰ).
11.Why does some of Europeans tying bands of straw round tree-trunks ? (2 marks)

Ans:-Some of Europeans had the custom of tying bands of straw(নৰা) round tree-trunks to render
them fruitful .

12.What is the origin of the fire rituals?(1 mark)

Ans:-The fire rituals have apparently an Indo-European origin.

13.Why do the fire set on the mejis and Bhelaghars? (2 marks)

And:- The malefolk and the children set fire on the mejis and Bhelaghars that the red flames warm the
people so long shivering in cold.

14.What do the Brahmins or elderly persons do in the Uruka? (1 mark)

Ans:-The Brahmins or the elderly persons give blessing and put marks of ash(মিট্টিকা ফুট) on
the forehead(কপাল).

15.What do the people take in the evening meal of uruka ? (2 marks)

Ans:-The evening meal consist of rice or new rice, curry of black gram(মাটি মাহৰ তৰকাৰী), fried
yam(মিঠা আলু) and so on . Next day, at noon it is customary to take a little left over rice kept
soaked(ভিজোৱা) in water and left – overdal.

16.What is takeli pitha ? (2 marks)

Ans:-Takeli pitha is a type of pitha wich is made from salted rice powder steamed on the mouth of small
pitcher(কলহ) or even a kettle .

17.What is sunga pitha ? What is the different in present situation and the Upper Assam ? How is it
made with? (2 marks)
Ans:-Sunga pitha is a type of pitha which is made from moist(ভিজোৱা) rice powder put in a green
bamboo tube and roasted(সিঁজোৱা) in fire. The ingredient mixed with the powder used to be salt
but now-a-days some people prefer a sweet variety.

In upper Assam , the people make “sunga – saul” (another name of sunga pitha ) which is
made from the sticky bora rice steamed in a bamboo tube . When it is done, the sticky roll is made into
pieces and eaten mixed with milk and gur . In upper Assam, there seems to be a preference for fried
pithas .

18.In which part of Assam does Magh Bihu have a stronger hold ? (2 marks)

Ans:-Magh Bihu ,the post – harvest winter festival seems to have a stronger hold on people of lower
Assam, not excluding the tribals .