The Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) region witnessed the vibrant celebration of the traditional Baikho Puja at Bamunigaon in Assam’s Kamrup district.

About Baikho Puja

• Baikho Puja (also known as Khoksi Puja) is a sacred pre-harvest festival celebrated annually by the Rabha community of Assam and parts of West Bengal.
• The festival is observed on the full moon day of the Assamese month of Jeth (May–June).
• It is dedicated to the deity of wealth, fertility and harvest, seeking abundant rainfall, protection from diseases and agricultural prosperity.

Key Features

• The festival reflects the close relationship between the Rabha people and nature, agriculture and community life.
• A major attraction is the Bar Nak-Kai (Fire Dance), where priests known as Baibras walk barefoot over burning charcoal as an act of devotion and courage.
• Another popular event is Leuwa Bokai, a traditional tug-of-war competition played using a thick tree vine instead of a rope.

Traditional Instruments Used

• Kham – Traditional Rabha drum.
• Gugumel – Bamboo musical instrument.
• Buburenga – Indigenous reed instrument.

About the Rabha Tribe

• The Rabhas are a Proto-Bodo indigenous community belonging to the Tibeto-Burman ethnolinguistic group.
• They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in Assam.
• The name Rabha is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word Bhairav, reflecting their historical association with the worship of Lord Shiva (Bhairav) and Goddess Shakti (Bhairavi).

Distribution

• The Rabhas are mainly concentrated in Assam, particularly in Goalpara and Kamrup districts.
• Smaller populations are also found in Meghalaya, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh.

Social Structure

• Rabha society retains elements of a matriarchal and matrilineal system, where lineage is traditionally traced through the mother.
• The community consists of seven major sub-groups:
  • Rongdani
  • Maitari
  • Kochcha
  • Pati
  • Dahori
  • Totola
  • Bitoliya
  • Hana
• Clans are known as Baray or Husug, while a group of clans forms a Huri.

Religion and Beliefs

• Traditionally, Rabhas followed Animism, worshipping nature and natural forces.
• Today, many Rabhas practice a blend of traditional beliefs and Hinduism.
• Two broad religious groups are:
  • Forest Rabha – primarily follow traditional animistic practices.
  • Village Rabha – follow a mix of animism and Hinduism.

Festivals and Culture

• Important festivals include:
  • Baikho Puja (Khoksi Puja)
  • Hasong Puja
  • Rontak Puja
  • Songbai Tangngi
  • Langi Puja
  • Marai Puja (Manasa Puja)
  • Domashi, a post-harvest festival resembling Magh Bihu and Bohag Bihu.

Music and Dance

• Traditional folk songs include Hoi Maru, Dodan Geet, Moso’so Geet, Sathar Love Songs and Zora Geet.
• Important musical instruments are:
  • Kham (long drum)
  • Dhak
  • Tarcha
  • Mukh Brangsi (flute)
  • Sinnga (buffalo horn instrument)

Traditional Attire

• Women wear Raufan (Patani), Kambung, Khodabang and Aanchang (shawl).
• Men wear Pajal, Foli (Sengkanen), Dotari and Khopong (traditional headgear).

Exam Hook ( Prelims)

Q. Baikho Puja is associated with which indigenous community of Northeast India?
(a) Bodo
(b) Karbi
(c) Rabha
(d) Dimasa

One-Line Wrap:
Baikho Puja is a vibrant pre-harvest festival of the Rabha tribe that symbolizes agricultural prosperity, community unity and the preservation of indigenous cultural traditions.

Assam: Baikho Puja observed with traditional fervour in Bamunigaon, showcasing Rabha heritage – Assam: Baikho Puja observed with traditional fervour in Bamunigaon, showcasing Rabha heritage – SOURCE