Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi is the harvest festival celebrated in Assam. On Uruka, the first day of Magh Bihu, women prepare foods like chira, pitha and curd. Young men help build structures called mejis and bhelaghars out of bamboo, leaves and hay for feasting. While the Kacharis of Assam celebrate similarly, they differ in offerings to gods of trees, fish and animals and cleaning granaries. During Bihu, young people practiced martial arts like wrestling and sword fighting to defend their land.

1. Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi
– Dr. Praphulladatta Goswami
1. The Uruka happens to be an important aspect of Magh Bihu. Give an elaborate
account of the celebrations associated with Uruka.
Or,
Give an elaborate account of the celebration associated with Uruka, the important
part of Magh Bihu. (HS 2020, 22)
Ans: Uruka is the first day of Magh Bihu and it is devoted to the God of fire, Agni. On
this day womenfolk get ready for the next day with chira, pitha, laru, curd etc. Uruka
is not exactly a one-day affair, for fuel has to be gathered, fish has to be got from
ponds, streams, and if possible, some meat too. In tribal settings women prepare
rice-beer usually undistilled. Another important chore is to build temples like
structures in fields. Usually young lads take a hand in this. These structures made
with green bamboo, dried banana leaves and hay are usually temple-shaped and
called meji, and those which are hut like are called Bhelaghar. Uruka feasting may
be a family affair or communal.
2. 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. (HS 2021)
Ans: The Kacharis tie cords round fruit-bearing trees. They offer rice to "the flying,
the sinking and the moving", that is, to birds, to fishes, and to animals like dogs, and
pigs. Further, on the Domahi day they put a mark odayater mixed with cow dung,
around their granary. On the seventh day of Magh Bihu they again clean their
granary sacrifice fowls to Bathou, their god; and go out carol singing, collecting
eatables. They call this custom magan or begging.
Another point to note is that Kacharis consider the construction of Bhelaghars
and setting fire to them to be the special prerogative of cowherd boys.
3. Describe the different kinds of sports and martial games associated with Magh
Bihu. How did the young people in earlier times prepare themselves for participating
in the martial arts?
Or,
What are the different sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi?
(HS 2020)
Ans: The different kinds of sports and martial games associated with Magh Bihu are-
wrestling, racing, jumping, buffalo fighting, egg fighting. In earlier times more martial
games, like sword play and javelin throwing were customary.
In earlier times, young people from weeks ahead used to make camps on dry
river banks and exercise themselves in the arts which were found necessary to
defend the land from aggressors.

2. 4. How the delican Sunga-Pitha' prepared? (HS 2019)
Ans: It is prepared with the 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 whed done the sticky roll is made into pieces and
eaten mixed with milk and gur.
5. What is the meaning of 'Domahi'? What do people usually have for lunch on that
day? (HS 2019)
Ans: The meaning of "Domahi" is the junction of two months. The lunch taken on this
day is not rice and curry but chira, pitha, curd and so on.
6. What is the significance of the 'Bhelaghar'? (HS 2021, 22)
Ans: Bhelaghar is a temporary night shelter, used as a community feast hall, made of
thatch, bamboo, straws, dried leaves and others. It is an object of visual pleasure on
uruka or the night before Bihu. It has immense cultural significance.
7. What is the belief of the Europeans who lighted Lentern and Midsummer fire?
(HS 2021)
Ans: Europeans who lighted Lantern and Midsummer fire had the belief in the
efficacy of ashes and embers as a means of fertility.
8. What is the significance of Uruka? (HS 2023)
Ans: Uruka represents feasting and enjoyment on Magh Bihu eve. The word 'Uruka'
is originally derived from the Deori-Chutia word 'Urukuwa' which means "to end".
9. How is the Meji made? (HS 2023)
Ans: Mejis are temple-like structures made of green bamboo, dry banana leaf and
straw.
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