The Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) with a view to establish the age-old customs and culture of the Rabhas, an ethnic tribe spread all over the Northeast and thickly populated in Goalpara and Kamrup (Rural) district, has prepared a documentary on Rabhas’ traditional religious festival ‘Baykho Puja’.
“We have completed a documentary on Baykho Puja, which is our main religious festival, to make people know about how and why it is celebrated,” remarked Jivan Rabha, Executive Member (EM) of the Cultural department, RHAC. He was addressing a meeting as the Chief Guest on the occasion of the 41st art and cultural anniversary celebration of the Baida Krishti Sanmiloni of the Rabhas that concluded on Saturday.
Jevan Rabha further stated that Fedardoa is a holy and historical place for the Rabha people as the concept of worshiping Goddess Baykho began from the village.
The cultural event is organised at the Fedardoa village, 2 km from the Assam-Meghalaya border of Goalpara district, in order to conserve, uplift and publicise the glorious history of the Rabha people.
“A race which forgets its birthplace, history and culture, ends up becoming parasite losing its own identity,” remarked Bipin Churchung, another speaker on the occasion.
Santaram Rabha, lecturer of Baida College, vehemently opposed the conversion of some Rabha people into other religion and termed it as anti-Rabha activity.
During the convention, Pratap Rabha, a cultural activist from Meghalaya, spoke about the dance customs like ‘Daowa’ and ‘Humjar’ and their significance.
The programme, which was inaugurated by young social worker Dhrubo Narayan Rabha, concluded with the highlight of achievements by Rabha icons like Birubala Rabha, Pabitra Rabha and Sukracharya Rabha.
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