Magh Bihu
Short Answer Questions (2 Marks each)
1. How do the womenfolk
prepare for the celebration of Uruka?
Ans. On
Uruka, women folk remain busy with the preparations for the next day with
chira, pita, laru, curd etc. They gather fuel and get fish from ponds or
streams. They try to procure meat too.
The tribal women prepare undistilled rice beer.
2. 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. Mejis are temple-like
structures, and Bhelaghars are hut-like structures and the cowherds sometimes
pass the night in a 'bhelaghar' warming themselves by a fire. These also serves
as a communal gathering place for people to come together, share food, and
celebrate. The ashes and half-burnt sticks are scattered in the fields and
among fruit trees to increase fertility.
3. Why does the author
believe that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an Indo-European
origin?
Ans. The
author believes that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu have an
Indo-European origin as the Europeans who lit Lentern and Midsummer fire too
believed that ashes and embers aided fertility. Some also had the custom of
tying bands of straw around tree trunks to make them bear more fruits.
4. How can we assume the
influence of Vaishnavism in the celebration of Magh Bihu?
Ans. The
session of hymn singing to the accompaniment of kettledrums and large cymbals
shows the influence of Vaishnavism in the celebration of Magh Bihu. The holding
of hymn singing is a noted feature of the month of Magh.
5. Briefly describe the
custom Magan or begging associated with Kacharis?
Ans. The
Kacharis practise the custom of magan or begging during Magh Bihu. On the
seventh day of Magh Bihu, they clean the utensils, sacrifice fowls to their
god, Bathou and go out for carol singing, collecting eatables.
6. What do the cowherd
boys pray for while setting fire to the Bhelaghar?
Ans. While
setting fire to the Bhelaghar, the cowherd boys pray that that their village
should healthy and free from disease, their paddy fields flourish and they have
riches, their cattle be strong and that unjust persons may suffer long.
7. Give a brief account
of the various sports and martial arts related to Magh Bihu?
Or
What are the different
sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi?
Ans. An interesting feature of
Magh Bihu is the conduct of sports like wrestling, racing, jumping, buffalo
fighting and egg fighting. In earlier times, it was customary to have martial
games like sword play and javelin throw. Young people used to practise earnestly
for the events, weeks ahead.
8. How is Kati Bihu
celebrated in Assam?
Ans. Kati
Bihu is celebrated in Assam in autumn. In the family yard, a light is placed in
front of the Tulasi plant. Women and children sing a particular song to the
Tulasi plant addressing it as ‘Mother’ and asking where Krishna has gone.
Farmers also place earthen lamps in the paddy fields for the protection of the
crop.
9. Why does the author
consider Kati Bihu as a festival of little significance?
Ans. The
author mentions that the festival has no public significance. The granaries of
the farmers usually remain empty during this time, hence it is known as Kongali
(poor) Bihu. Hence the author considers Kati Bihu as a festival of little
significance.
10. How is the delicacy
‘Sunga-pitha’ prepared?
Ans: Sunga-pitha
– moist rice powder puts 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
11. What is the meaning
of ‘Domahi’? What do people usually have for lunch on that day?
Ans: Domahi
means “Junction of two months”.
The lunch being made of
up chira, curd, etc. the evening meal consists of new rice, curry of black
gram, fried yam and so on.
Very
short answer question: 1 mark each
(Note:
You don’t have 1 mark question in final exam but two questions of 1 mark can be
combined to make a 2 marks question.)
1. 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 .
2. What does the term
Domahi mean?
Ans: The
meaning of domahi is the junction of two months.
3. What is the Bihu eve
known as?
Ans:- The
Bihu eve is known as Uruka .
4. What is a Mah –Karai
or Mah – Kare?
Ans:-Mah
– Karai or Mah – Kare is a combination of roasted rice, black gram, sesame and pieces of ginger. When offered for chewing, it is smeared
with oil.
5. What is the most
numerous tribe of Assam?
Ans:-The
Kacharis is the most numerous tribe of Assam.
6. In which season, kati
bihu is celebrated?
Ans:- In
autumn season, Kati Bihu is generally
held.
7. What is the Tulasi
plant symbolic of?
Ans:- The
Tulasi plant is symbolic of Vrinda, one of the devotees of Krishna.
8. Who is the chief god
of the Kacharis?
Ans:-Bathou
is the chief god of the Kacharis.
9.What are the other name
of Bohag bihu, Kati bihu and Magh bihu?
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.
10.What is Uruka?
Ans:- Uruka
is the bihu eve. 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.
11.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. In winter, they take four or five days to
get the beer matured.
12. Who is the writer of
the lesson ‘Magh Bihu OR Maghar Domahi’? From which book this essay has been
extracted?
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”.
13. What is the belief of
European on the lighted Lentern and midsummer fire?
Ans:-For
the Europeans, it is belief that lighted Lentern and midsummer fire had the
belief in the efficacy of
ashes and embers as a means of fertility.
14.Why do the fire set on
the mejis and Bhelaghars?
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.
15.What do the people
take in the evening meal of uruka ?
Ans:-The
evening meal consist of rice or new rice, curry of black gram, fried yam and so on. Next day, at noon it is
customary to take a little left-over rice kept soaked in water and left over
dal.
16.What is takeli pitha?
Ans:-Takeli
pitha is a type of pitha wich is made from salted rice powder steamed on the mouth of small pitcher 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?
Ans:-Sunga
pitha is a type of pitha which is made from moist rice powder put in a green bamboo tube and
roasted 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” 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.
Previous Year Questions
2019
1. What is the meaning of
‘Domahi’? What do people usually have for lunch on that day?
Ans: Answer
is given.
2. How is the delicacy
‘Sunga-pitha’ prepared?
Ans: Answer
is given.
2020
1. What are different
sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi?
Ans: Answer
is given.
2022
1. What is the
significance of Bhelaghar?
Ans: Bhela
ghar is a temporary night shelter and made of thatch,bamboo,straws dried leaves
and others. People, particularly the cowherds, pass the night in a Bhelaghar
warming themselves by the fire. Next day this is set on fire in the name of
God. Brahmins or elderly persons give blessings and put marks of ash on the
forehead. The half-burnt sticks are scattered in the fields and pieces may be
brought home to be thrown near fruit-bearing trees in the belief that it would
increase the fertility of fields and gardens.
2023
1. What is the
significance of Uruka?
Ans: Uruka,
or Bihu Eve, is the first day of the two-day Magh Bihu festival in Assam. It's
a significant event that has cultural, religious, social, and spiritual
significance for the Assamese community. It is significant for the womenfolk
also. On Uruka, women folk remain busy with the preparations for the next day
with chira, pita, laru, curd etc. The tribal women prepare undistilled rice
beer.
2. How is the Meiji made?
Ans: Meji,
a cone-shaped structure made of bamboo, hay, straw, thatch, and other such
materials, is usually built by locals in rural Assam on the eve of the Bhogali
Bihu and is set fire on the day of the celebration as a mark of respect to the
God before the festivities begin.
2024
1. Define domahi.
Ans: The
word 'Domahi' means the junction of two months. The junction is the last day of
the preceding month and the first day of the coming months. Domahi is also the name of a popular
harvesting festival celebrated in the Kamrup and Western Assam. A mass feast is
organised on the eve of this festival. The first day of Maghar Domahi is called
"uruka". On this day, women prepare pithas, larus, and maah korai.
2. How do the kacharis
observe the ritual of magh bihu?
Ans: The Kacharis (a part of the indigenous Assamese community) have similar customs. On the seventh day of Magh Bihu they clean utensils and sacrifice fowls to Bathou, their God and go out carol singing, collecting foods. They set up Bhelaghars and burn them in the morning.
Broad
notes
Give an elaborate account
of the celebration associated with Uruka, the important part of Magh Bihu.
2020, 2022
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.
The womenfolk on Uruka 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, 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.
This 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
Sankranti day, rice and curry are not served for lunch; instead, people eat
laru, pitha, chira, curd, and other dishes prepared by the women the day
before. There are some unique preparations for this occasion. The first is
mah-karai, which is a dish made up of roasted rice, black gram, sesame, and
ginger pieces that have been smeared with oil and served. Tekeli-pitha is the
second preparation. It’s made by steaming salted rice powder over a small
kettle’s mouth. The third is sunga-pitha, which is made by stuffing moist rice
powder with salt or jaggery into the cavity of green bamboo and roasting it on
fire. Upper Assam’s preparation of these items varies slightly. Sunga-saul is
made there, consisting of sticky bora rice steamed in a bamboo tube, then cut
into pieces and eaten with milk and jaggery. In Upper Assam, fried pithas are
also more common.
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:
Kacharis are the most numerous tribes 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.
4. Kati Bihu, according
to the author, cannot be called a festival as such. How is Kati Bihu celebrated
in Assam?
Ans:
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."
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'.
2025
Briefly describe the custom of 'magan' •or 'begging' associated
with the Kacharies.
Ans: See question no 5 and page 1
What is Kati Bihu's significance? How is Kati Bihu celebrated
in Assam?
Ans: See question no 4 and page 4
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