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About Baishagu

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About Baishagu

Bwisagu, also written Baishagu, is the spring and New Year festival of the Bodo people of Assam. It begins in mid April, at the same time as Rongali Bihu, and goes on for about a week.

The first day is for the cattle: they are bathed, fed and honoured. On the following days families pray to Bathou at the sijou plant in the courtyard, young people bow to their elders for blessings, and homes are filled with guests.

Women in bright dokhona dance the graceful Bagurumba, often called the butterfly dance, to the sound of the sifung flute, the kham drum and the serja. Families share rice beer, rice cakes and festive dishes.

Bwisagu is kept across the Bodoland region, in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri, and by Bodo families everywhere. It is a time of new clothes, music and fresh starts.

How people celebrate Baishagu

  • Bathing and honouring the cattle
  • Prayers to Bathou at the sijou plant
  • Bowing to elders for blessings
  • The Bagurumba butterfly dance
  • Sifung flute and kham drum
  • New dokhona and aronai

How to wish well

  • Greet from 14 April, through the week of Bwisagu.
  • Wishes for a new year of health, harvest and family blessings suit everyone.
  • An aronai, the Bodo scarf, is a warm gift, and a wish that mentions it feels personal.
  • Bwisagu and Bihu fall together; wish Bodo friends for Bwisagu by name.

Questions about Baishagu

When is Bwisagu?

Bwisagu begins on 14 April every year, with the cattle day, and the celebrations last about a week.

Is Baishagu the same as Bihu?

They fall at the same time and both welcome spring, but Bwisagu is the Bodo festival with its own prayers, music and dance.

What is the Bagurumba dance?

A graceful dance by Bodo women in bright dokhona. Its soft arm movements remind people of butterflies.

Who is Bathou?

Bathou is the traditional faith of the Bodo people. The sijou plant in the courtyard is its sacred altar.

Where is Bwisagu celebrated?

Across the Bodoland region of Assam, in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri, and by Bodo families everywhere.

What do you say on Bwisagu?

Say "Happy Bwisagu" and wish people a bright new year.

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