Celebrate Kati Bihu and know how this agrarian festival influences the lives of Assamese people and its importance ingrained in the cultural landscape.
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As October approaches, every Assamese prepares to celebrate Kati Bihu and hope for a plentiful crop. Kati Bihu is an important celebration in Assam that coincides with the rice planting season in the agricultural calendar. It is celebrated after the panicle commencement of the Sali-paddy crop. This day is also celebrated as Kartik Sankranti. Kati Bihu is also known as Kangali Bihu because to its lack of entertainment and feasting.
The Kati Bihu festival serves two fundamental functions. The primary goal is to safeguard Sali-paddy crops from numerous pests, illnesses, and other calamities in order to yield a good harvest. Another goal is to pray to God for crop health and the prosperity of the family and society. Kati Bihu has a deeper connection to the agricultural cycle. This quieter event is more than just a time for introspection; it is also a celebration of hope and fortitude in the face of agricultural uncertainty.
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Seasonal magnitude of Kati Bihu
During Kati Bihu, the fields of Sali-paddy in Assam become stunningly beautiful and promising as the panicles on the plants mature. As a result, agricultural households become hopeful about a good harvest while yet being concerned about crop damage. Various pests become more active in this stage of Sali-paddy, consuming the crop.
The fundamental reason of commemorating Kati Bihu is thus related with crop protection from pests, diseases, and other calamities. The principal ritual of lighting clay lanterns in paddy fields corresponds to the stage of the crop. The lamps clearly suppress pests in rice fields to a large extent, as they are placed across the field by all households as a mandatory ritual of the festival.
Origins of Kati Bihu
The term “Kati” comes from the Kamatapuri phrase “Kati-Ba LagBo,” which means “I have to cut,” and refers to the approaching crop. Kati Bihu can be traced back to traditional agrarian practices in Assam, where agriculture has long formed the foundation of the rural economy. Traditionally observed during the month of Kati in the calendar, it marks a key stage in the agricultural cycle when paddy saplings are transplanted and farmers eagerly await their development. The festival’s origins may be traced back to Assamese tribal groups’ agrarian rituals, which involved pleasing nature and requesting favours for a plentiful harvest.
One traditional myth related with Kati Bihu is that of the “Mukhya Ghar,” or home deity, who is thought to protect crops from pests and natural disasters. Families hold ceremonies to honour these deities, demonstrating their reliance on spiritual beliefs for agricultural success. Furthermore, the tradition of lighting lamps in the fields represents the search for light and protection from darkness, both literally and metaphorically, as farmers strive for their crops’ success.
Various rituals of Kati Bihu
The practice for protecting the Sali-paddy crop from numerous pests and diseases is to place oil-based clay lamps in the Sali-paddy field and pray to God to safeguard the crop. The lamp’s flames appear to control a variety of crop pests. Pests are attracted to the flames of the lamps and therefore exterminated. In some communities, families light lamps throughout the month of Kati, beginning with Kati Bihu (mid-October to mid-November).
Furthermore, some people believe that Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, is charmed by the light of lamps and thus bestows benefits. In some instances, lighting are also placed in vegetable gardens. In some places, families practice the tradition by singing special hymns.
The ritual has another purpose: to pray to God for crop health and the prosperity of the family and society. It is practiced at the family level in households. Every household places oil-based lamps in front of the courtyard and a basil plant, and they pray.
The ceremonies differ by locale. Some communities commemorate Kati Bihu in unusual and unconventional ways. Some farmers repeat certain mantras on their own Sali-paddy agricultural patches with the assistance of a type of convalescent expert known as Bej in Assamese. He sings special mantras, which the farmer repeats. This practice is performed under the notion that precise mantras tie the mouths of animals, insects , rodents and birds, so protecting crops.
Some farmers bury a pair of mice on a patch of cropland. Farmers in a few places hang sky lamps known as Akash bonti in paddy fields. Tall bamboo poles have lights installed at their tips. It is typically organised as a group or on a communal level.
Farmers in a few communities use jute sticks to create a traditional flame. It is made by tying cotton or jute fiber to the tip of a long jute stick, soaking it in oil, and then lighting it on fire to make a flame. Its name is Bhoga-dewa. Flamed sticks are spread across the crop field to attract and kill pests.
Cultural Evolution
Kati Bihu developed in sync with cultural development over time. The festival has evolved to adapt to changing social dynamics and agricultural practices, while maintaining its basic agricultural significance. Kati Bihu was traditionally celebrated by rural communities involved in subsistence farming, with ceremonies and communal gatherings centred on agricultural pursuits. With modernisation and urban migration, Kati Bihu has developed to include urban festivals that combine contemporary features while preserving its traditional core.
Urban communities have developed methods to celebrate the festival, such as hosting community events featuring traditional food, music, and dancing, bridging the gap between rural and urban identities. This evolution demonstrates the adaptability of cultural practices while keeping their value.
Significance of Kati Bihu
Kati Bihu is an important part of Assam’s intangible cultural heritage, as it expresses the state’s identity. The celebration celebrates the people’s rich traditions, values, and collective memories, reaffirming their sense of cultural pride. Celebrating Kati Bihu encourages people to remember their agricultural heritage and the importance of rice production in their lives, which has long been the backbone of Assam’s rural economy. Kati Bihu promotes a sense of belonging and continuity for individuals for both rural and urban environments. It is a reminder of the cultural history carried down through generations, including agricultural techniques, customs, folklore, and spiritual beliefs.
This event encourages people to connect with their ancestry while also creating a collective consciousness that fosters a robust and durable cultural identity in the face of growing modernisation and globalisation. Kati Bihu’s rites and activities demonstrate the deep connection between culture and the natural world. The time of Kati Bihu, which occurs when rice saplings are planted, emphasises the agricultural cycle and the role of nature in supporting livelihoods. The rituals undertaken at Kati Bihu, such as burning candles to preserve crops and worshipping the Tulsi plant, represent respect for the environment and its offerings. These activities demonstrate a genuine respect for nature and a grasp of the connection between humans and the environment.
Kati Bihu also acts as a reminder of the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of life, inspiring contemplation on larger topics such as growth, resilience, and environmental balance. The festival not only honors the agrarian lifestyle, but it also promotes a communal understanding of environmental stewardship, ensuring that future generations value and maintain the natural resources that are essential to their cultural legacy.
In conclusion, Kati Bihu is more than just an agricultural festival; it represents the essence of cultural heritage, promoting pride and identity while emphasising the strong relationship between culture and nature. Kati Bihu, with its rituals and collective spirit, continues to instill a sense of connection and responsibility for cultural preservation and environmental sustainability.
Significance of Kartik Sankranti
At Kartik Sankranti, the sun enters Libra. During this time, grains begin to appear in paddy. In celebration of this joy, people offer fresh paddy to Maa Laxmi. In some places, branches of wheat and Cara plants are presented to Maa Lakshmi. People pray to Maa Laxmi to protect their crops from floods, pests, and droughts, as well as to deliver a rich harvest each year. The sun remains in Libra for nearly the entire month of Kartik. As a result, not only Sankranti but the entire month of Kati (Kartik) is considered auspicious.
Assamese Kati Bihu and its roots
Kati Bihu is profoundly embedded in Assam’s cultural identity, rural economy, and social fabric. As an agrarian festival, it emphasizes the importance of farming in Assam’s largely rural community. Farmers celebrate Kati Bihu to honor their long-standing bond with the land and nature, stressing the qualities of patience, hard labor, and perseverance. The festival emphasizes the importance of community and tradition in preserving cultural heritage. Kati Bihu connects modern society to its agricultural roots by sustaining rituals such as lamp lighting in fields and Tulsi worship, as well as customs passed down over centuries.
Kati Bihu plays an important role in reconnecting individuals to their religious and folkloric heritage. The celebration involves rituals that seek favors from deities related with agriculture, including Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Balaram, the deity of agriculture. These ceremonies indicate a great respect for nature and a belief in the divine’s role in agricultural success.
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Referance: To write this article, the book Bihu Festivals : All-inclusive elucidations by Dr. Pradip Neog has been taken as a reference for research and knowledge hunting along with Singha, R., & Singha, S. (2024). Kati Bihu: Exploring Its Cultural Significance and Agrarian Traditions in Assam’s Harvest Festival among the Koch Rajbongshi Community. Available at SSRN.