LOHARGHAT (CHANDUBI), June 1 � Celebrating unity in diversity, the Rabha community on Sunday made an endeavour to bring the other ethnic communities of the State on the same platform to build a prosperous and united Assam.
Though the occasion was celebrating its Baikho Puja, the Rabhas chose to invite representatives from the other ethnic groups to be a part of this festive occasion and reach out to each other, realizing that understanding and tolerance is the need of the hour to put an end to ethnic conflict.
Organised by the Kamrup Zila Rabha Students Union, the Baikho Utsav that is performed by the Rabha community before the cultivation season, also gave an opportunity to the myriad communities to showcase their cultural richness.
The day-long programme began with Baikho Puja, the major festival of the Rabha community. Performed by eight main priests, this puja has some distinctive traits. The puja is not only about appeasing the goddess for a bounteous harvest, but also a kind of test for the main priests. Elaborating about the puja, Arup Kumar Rabha said that the priests have to participate in a host of activities that will prove their mental and physical courage.
�We have eight main priests apart from around 40 other priests to perform the puja. The main priests have to be pure in heart and have the courage of a lion. Their bravery is tested through several activities,� said Rabha, informing that the group of priests came from Hatigaon, Goalpara.
It needs to be mentioned here that one of the methods of testing the courage of the main priests is through a dance on fire. As per the beliefs prevalent amongst the Rabha community, if a priest lacks purity, he will fail to do the dance on fire. �People really love to watch this dance that is a combination of skill, grace, perseverance and traditional beliefs,� said Rabha.
Joint secretary of the Kamrup Zila Rabha Students Union, Debajit Napha said that the community is trying to take its cultural assets in a more organised manner before the world. �Our community has a rich cultural treasure trove. We are attempting to present our culture in an organised way so that people become interested to know about us,� added Debajit.
Loharghat reverberated with the beat of different folk instruments and transformed into a radiant hue as men and women from different ethnic communities danced and sang in their traditional attire.
The occasion also featured an open session and dance and sports contest as well. The dance on fire marked the culmination of the day.