exploring the cultural heritage and tribal traditions of assam

Assam is an area with the blessing of the powerful Brahmaputra River in the lowlands of the Eastern Himalayas. It is a place where spirituality is perfectly combined with nature and culture. It’s much more than tea gardens – it is a colourful kaleidoscope of tribal traditions, exclusive spirituality, and legendary artisanship. When you want to experience the real heartbeat of the Northeast, there is no other option than to immerse yourself in the Assamese traditions.

That’s why we’re going to explore some of the most important cultural and tribal traditions of Assam in this blog. It’s going to be an interesting read, so let’s dive into the details!

1. The Beating of a Rhythmic Heart: Bihu and the Circle of Life

The Bihu festival is certainly the most significant cultural manifestation of Assam. Bihu is not a one-day festival; it is a complex of three separate events that are celebrated throughout the year and indicate the agricultural cycle:

1. Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu): It is celebrated in the month of April and is the Assamese New Year. It is also the time when people start sowing. It is the most joyous of all, in which there are the jovial folk songs, and the popular Bihu-dance, which men and women perform and which is accompanied with instruments like dhol (drum) and pepa (a hornpipe played by buffalo horn).
2. Kongali Bihu (Kati Bihu): It is a sombre festival that takes place in October and is an indication of a time of scarcity. During this season, prayers are made to have a good harvest.
3. Bhogali Bihu (Magh Bihu): It is celebrated during January and is known as the harvest festival. It is characterised by community feasts, bonfire events (mejis) and traditional games such as buffalo fights.

This three-fold festivity indicates how profoundly the spirit of the Assamese is connected with the beat of nature and the land.

2. Thread of Identity: Silk and Craftsmanship

The identity of Assamese is literally embroiled in their fabrics. The state is internationally known for its special and beautiful types of silk, like the native Muga silk.

Muga (also called the gold silk) is one of the rare fabrics in Assam, which possesses a natural shimmering colour and is regarded as durable, becoming even shinier with each wash. These fabrics are the focus of the culture alongside Pat silk (creamy white silk that is used in making fine fabrics) and Eri silk (which has a woolly texture). It is common to see every Assamese family owning a loom, and the art of weaving is an extremely prideful one.

The Assamese people are also masters in craftsmanship other than textiles. You will see amazing things made with bamboo and cane, such as useful home items, elegant baskets and traditional conical hats known as jaapis. Another tradition that is highly maintained is metalcraft, especially the use of bell metal to create religious utensils and decorations.

3.The Tribal Tapestry: Unique Traditions and Residence Patterns

Assam also has many ethnic groups, each of which adds many colours to the cultural mosaic of Assam. This diversity is indicated by two prominent groups:

• The Bodos: Bodos are one of the largest tribal groups, as they have traditional dances like the Bagurumba, and a master of music plays on the sifung (flute). Their social traditions are strongly based on agriculture and the worship of nature.
• The Mishing (or Missing) Tribe: The Mishing people, who inhabit the shores of the Brahmaputra predominantly, are known to dwell in their own unique stilted houses (chang ghars). The high architecture of their houses protects them against floods and predators and shows a sustainable and community-oriented life adjusted to the riverine habitat.

Their unique traditional clothing, elaborate ornaments and special festivals reflect the amazing linguistic and customary diversity in the state.

Explore Assam’s Cultural Heritage with Adventure River Cruises

Travelling to Assam can be a very fulfilling experience as it allows you to explore an old, undefeated, and distinct culture where each tradition, be it the golden silk or the beat of the dholl, reminds you of a rich history. And if you want to get the best out of this experience, try it with Adventure River Cruises. Our unique cruise tours in Assam are designed to let you explore the culture of this region with a comfortable stay. We’ve both upstream and downstream cruise tours of 8 days and 12 days, and you can book them from our website.