The Traditional Songs of the Assamese: Voice and Connection

Abstract

The Traditional Songs of the Assamese: Voice and Connection The folk songs of Assam are mainly associated with rites and rituals; these folk songs reflect the livelihood of the Assamese community. The songs are related to Shitala Puja, Koli burhi nritya, Gopini naam, biya naam and Bihu geet, which have a unique position in traditional singing among the Assamese community. Sitala is a folk goddess and it is believed that she has is an intimidating presence who distributes infected pulses in village markets, or sends hordes of disease-demons, thus causing outbreaks of smallpox and other contagious illnesses. Only when properly worshipped she agrees to heal her victims (Ferrari 2015:2). The women sing Aai Naam to please the Goddess Shitala as she is described as the deification of smallpox. Koli burhi nritya is associated with Magh Bihu, which is a post-harvest festival, held in January. Koli burhi is an Assamese term, which means a black woman. Women put the burning banana leaves on their bodies and sing the song which is known as Koli burhi nrityar geet(the songs of black women). It is believed that burning banana leaves removes all the obstacles from their life. Durga Puja is a famous festival held in India and during this puja (The English term of puja is ritual) the Assamese women sing Gopini Naam to please the Goddess Bhagavati or Kamakhya (a form of Goddess Durga). Songs related to marriage are also very significant among the Assamese community, and these marriage songs are known as Biya naam. The song related to Bihu, which is the main harvest festival of Assam, held in mid-April, is known as Bihu geet. Merriment, love and sad these feelings are described through these Bihu geet. In this paper, an attempt has been made to highlight the traditional singing that is related to rituals among the communities of Assam, India.