Boro tribe of Assam ushers in New Year with colourful Bwisagu fest

KOKRAJHAR: The Boros, among the largest tribes in the Northeast Indian region, today ushered in it's new year with the traditional Bwisagu festival with song, dance, and flair across all 4 districts of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and beyond.

In the 4 districts -- namely, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Udalguri, and Baksa -- the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) took the initiative to host programmes so that the community could get together and enjoy song, dance, food, et al.

Today is the second day of the festival -- the "Mansi" or Men but starts with worshipping their gods; the third day is for "Saima" meant for dogs; the fourth day is for "Oma" meant for swine; the fifth day is for "Dao", or meant for fowl; the sixth for duck and other birds; the seventh is meant for receiving relatives and friends.

In the Dangtol Bathou Club in Chirang, many tiny tots came decked out in their traditional attires and danced their traditional 'Bagurumba'.

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"We need everything in life -- including fun, frolic, and laughter. We are pleased to celebrate Bwisagu as it lets us break away from the monotony of just eating and living," a village elder told media.

House cleaning, battle rites, worship of Bathow and offering food to their ancestors, ruthoi of new and washed clothes, receiving and visiting relatives, friends, etc. may be said to constitute the formal part of the festival.

On this day, the tribe's members also worship the elders, while seeking their blessings for the rest of the year.

Merrymaking is an integral part of this Bodo Festival. Music and dance become a regular feature.

"Bwisagu", which means the start of the new year. Bwisagu is a Boro word that originated from the word "Bwisa" that means "year" or "age" and "Agu" that means "starting" or "start"

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