A new anthology, Bihu: The Agricultural Festival of Assam, edited by Sanjib Kr Borkakoti, delves into the multifaceted dimensions of Assam’s iconic Bihu festival, bolstering efforts to secure its inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Published by Purbayon Publication, the book compiles diverse perspectives on Bihu’s cultural, historical, and socio-economic significance, aiming to elevate its global recognition.

Borkakoti, an academician, emphasizes the urgency of preserving Bihu amid modern challenges to traditional practices. “Deliberate attempts to distort Bihu in recent times highlight the need for academic discourse to safeguard its essence,” he writes in the book’s preface. The anthology addresses this through articles exploring Bihu’s regional variations, its agrarian roots, and its role as a living heritage system, while also examining its economic impact and associated career opportunities.

The Northeast India zone of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), led by representative Dilip Changkakoty, has spearheaded awareness campaigns to promote Bihu’s global significance. Changkakoty describes Bihu as ‘Bapati Sahon,’ a term signifying ancestral inheritance, underscoring its emotional and historical continuity as a civilizational asset. He asserts that Bihu meets UNESCO’s criteria for intangible cultural heritage, citing its value as a traditional performing art, its deep-rooted communal significance, and its role in transmitting cultural identity across generations.

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The book underscores the need for rigorous research into Bihu’s origins and nomenclature, addressing folklore and indigenous knowledge systems to preserve its authenticity. As community practices face erosion in modern times, the anthology serves as a vital resource for documenting and protecting Bihu’s legacy. With ICOMOS’s ongoing advocacy, the publication aims to galvanize support from both the public and government to pursue Bihu’s UNESCO designation, ensuring its cultural richness endures for future generations.

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