Context:

=> The Baikho festival is celebrated in the state of Assam, which is called as gateway to northeast India.

=> It is celebrated by Rabha tribes of India.

About Assam:

Assam is the state of natural beauty and scenic scapes. It stretches across the Brahmaputra River and encircled by verdant hills. It is having a diverse flora and fauna. It is also known as land of Red River and Blue Hills. It is a nucleus, that inhibits beautiful biodiversity of India.

About Rabhas:

Tribes Rabhas are a Tibeto-Burman community. They reside in Lower Assam in Garo hills and Dooar region of West Bengal. They are among the plains tribe in state. They are an agriculture-based community. They have distinctive culture and celebrations.

About Baikho Festival:

The Baikho festival is celebrated annually. It is celebrated to bring in auspicious harvest season and to fill it with abundant crops and good health. This is a celebration of good harvest. It is an ancient tradition. It is predominantly observed by Rabha Tribe. However, people from other communities also harmonise in the celebrations.

Celebration in 2022:

For celebration in 2022, locals in Gamerimura village gathered on June 4 to celebrate the festival. One can witness vibrant and holy hues of rituals, fun, customs, and frolic on this day.

How is this festival celebrated?

• During this festival, various rituals are carried out for warding off evil spirits, for bringing good will to community and sparking ample rains.
• In the afternoon, people dress in traditional attire and dance to the drum beats.
• In the evening, they set alight a tall structure made from bundles of bamboo.
• After the sun sets, priests offer prayers to the God of harvest. After the prayers priests run over hot coals, which are left simmering by the fire.
• This act is meant to honour the harvest deity. Later, women wash the feet of priests and serve them food.
• In another unique customs, Rabha Tribes smear their faces with rice flour and pour rice beer for others.