MAGH BIHU OR MAGHAR DOMAHI, Class 12

 FROM MODEL QUESTION BANK, Textual Questions & Additional,

Noted by  Podmeswar & Edited by Kishan Sarkar

1.Very short answer question : 1 mark each

a. In which part of Assam does Magh Bihu have a stronger hold ?

Ans:-Magh Bihu, the post harvest winter festival seems to have a stronger hold on people of lower Assam, not excluding the tribals .

b. What does the term Domahi mean?

OR  - What is the meaning of domahi ?

Ans:-The term Domahi means the junction of two months.

Or:

The meaning of domahi is the junction of two months.

                  

c. What is the Bihu eve known as?

Ans:- The Bihu eve is known as Uruka .

d. What is a Mah –Karai or Mah – Kare?

Ans:-Mah – Karai or Mah – Kare is a combination of roasted  rice(ভজা চাউল), black gram(মাটি মাহ) , sesame(তিল) and pieces of ginger(আদা) . When offered for chewing, it is smeared with oil .

e. What is the most numerous tribe of Assam ?

Ans:-The Kacharis is the most numerous tribe of Assam .

f.In which season , kati bihu is celebrated ?

OR -  In which season is Kati Bihu generally held ?

Ans :- In autumn season , kati bihu is celebrated .

Or  -  In autumn season,  Kati Bihu is generally held .

g.What is the Tulasi plant  symbolic of ?

Ans:-The Tulasi plant is symbolic of Vrinda, one of the devotees of Krishna.

h.Who is the chief god of the Kacharis ?

Ans:-Bathou is the chief god of the Kacharis .

2.Short answer questions : 2 marks each

a. How do the women folk prepare for the celebration of Uruka ?

OR - How do the women folk get ready for the bihu in the day of Uruka?

Ans:- In the day of “Uruka”, the women folk get ready for the next day with chira, pitha, laru, curd, tekeli pitha, sunga pitha, laru and so on. In the day. fuel has to be gathered, fish has to be got from ponds or streams and if possible some meat are too. In tribal setting, women prepare rice beer.

b. What is the importance  of the Meji and Bhelaghar built for Magh Bihu ?

Ans:- The Meji and Bhelaghar built for Magh Bihu is a custom of the Magh Bihu . It is the most special for the cowherds (garakhia) who pass the night in a Bhelaghar warming themselves by a fire and making use of the vegetable . They steal the vegetables from the villagers’ gardens and the eatables that are given them .`  In the day of Magh Bihu, the malefolk and the children go to the Mejis and Bhalaghar  where offering of eatables are made of the god of fire , Agni. Then to caries of God’s name, fire is set to the structures of meji or bhelaghar. It is believe that red flames warm the people so long shivering in cold and the tube of bamboo burst like gunfire .

c. Why does the author believe that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu   have an Indo-European origin ?

Ans:-In the day of the Magh Bihu , the people set fire to the Bhalaghar and Meji with the cries of God’s names. It is believe that red flames warm the people so long shivering in cold. After the fire, the half-burn sticks are scattered(বিক্ষিপ্ত কৰা) in the fields and the pieces are thrown near the fruit bearing trees as the belief of increasing the fertility(উৰ্বৰ) of fields and gardens.  Europeans are also performing the fire rituals. They light Lentern and Midsummer fire in the belief of the efficacy(কাৰ্য ক্ষমতা) of ashes(চাই) and embers(এঙাৰ) as a means of fertility(উৰ্বৰ).

                 So, the author believes that the fire rituals associated with Magh Bihu   have an Indo-European origin.

d. How can we assume the influence of vaishnavism in the celebration of Magh Bihu ?

OR  -  How  do the vaishnavism influence in the aspect of the festival magh bihu ?

Ans:-In the uruka, people sit and to the accompaniment(সৈতে) of kettledrums(নেগেৰা) and large cymbals(বৰ তাল) hold a session of hymn-singing(নাম-কীৰ্তণ). The fact of holding nam-prasanga or hymn-singing is a noted feature of “Magh Month” and  suitable for religious purpose of aspecting the influence of “Vaishnavaism” .

e. Briefly describe the custom magan or begging associated with Kacharis ?

Ans:- On the seventh day of Magh Bihu, Kacharis  clean the  utensils(বাচন-বৰ্তন), sacrifice fowls(কুকুৰা) to Bathou, their god and go out carol singing and collecting eatables . They call its custom magan or begging.

f. What and why do the cowherd(গৰখীয়া)  boys pray for while setting fire to the Bhelaghar?

Ans:- The cowherd boys burn the Bhelaghar before the dawn with a prayer “Glory , glory ,glory – glory to our village !” .  This prayer is prayed not to visit the disease in their village and increasing the paddy and be riches also that their cattle may be large and strong like rhinoceros and the elephant. 

g.  Give a brief account of the various sports and martial arts related to Magh Bihu ?

OR – 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 ? (Textual question no. 4)

OR - How does the magh bihu holding the sports ?                                           

OR  -  What are the sports played in magh bihu ?

OR  -  How do the earlier times play the sports in magh bihu ?

Ans:- One interesting feature of magh bihu  is the  holding of sports , like wrestling , racing , jumping , buffalo fighting , egg fighting and so on. In earlier times  more martial games , like sword play  and javelin throwing  were customary . From weeks  ahead young people , used to make camps on dry river banks and exercise themselves in the arts  which were found necessary to defend the land from aggressors (আক্রমণকাৰী).

h. “Kati Bihu , accordin to the author , cannot be called a festival as such”

How is Kati Bihu  celebrated in Assam ?(Textual Q. No. 5)      *2 or 5 or 7 marks

OR - How do the people celebrate kati bihu ?

Ans:-Kati bihu is held in autumn season  as a little significance  . In the family yard , a light is put at the foot of the Tulasi plant and women  and children  sing in this manner :

                                    Tulasi , O Mother , Tulasi ,

                                    You are Govinda’s favourite ,

                                     Which way has  Krishna gone,

                                    Mother , tells us quickly.

In this bihu , the ploughmen  does certain things  for the protection of their crops . They plants  a small bamboo in the field  and lights earthen  lamp mat its foot . They may also whirl a piece of bamboo and chant(ভজন) certain – mantras to protect the maturing  paddy from pests(কীট). Some persons light the akash – banti or the sky lamp hanging from a tall bamboo .

 The kacharis  put lamps at the foot of the  siju cactus , symbols of their chief god “Bathou”, in the garden , at the granary(ভঁৰাল) and in the field .

           Thus the people of Assam celebrate the Kati Bihu as a part of bihu festival with little significance.

i. Why does the author consider Kati Bihu as a festival of little significance ?

Ans:-The author considers Kati Bihu as a festival of little significance because it has no public significance . It is a one day affair for the people of Assam .The people spend a short time for this festival . The ploughmen only plant a small  bamboo in the field and light and earthen lamp at its foot. Also in the family yard a light is put at the foot Tulasi plant and women as well as children sing the prayer of Tulasi only a short time of period at dusk .

j. People do not take the usual rice and curry on the Domahi or samkranti day for their lunch . What are the different kinds of food items that people have for lunch on this particular day ? (Texual Q. No. 2)

OR - How  do the people take the lunch on the Domahi and samkranti day or uruka ?

Ans:-The people take the lunch on the day of Domahi and samkranti day or uruka is not rice  but  chira , pitha , curd , mah – karai , takeli pitha,  sunga pitha and so on .

k.What do the kacharis celebrated  in kati bihu ?  

Ans:- The kacharis  put lamps at the foot of the  siju cactus, symbols of their chief god “Bathou”, in the garden, at the granary and in the field.

3. Long answer questions : 5 or 7 marks each

a.Give a elaborate  account of the celebrations  associated  with Uruka ?

OR - “Uruka feasting may be a family affair or communal .” Justify  the relevance of this above statement with a detailed account of the customs observed during Uruka .

OR  - The Uruka happens to be an important  aspect of Magh Bihu . Give a elaborate  account of the celebrations  associated  with Uruka ? (textual question no.1)

OR - How is the uruka celebrated?

Ans:- “Uruka feasting may be a family affair or communal .” Uruka is the bihu eve. It is the previous day of every bihu. It is also associated with the junction of two months. On this day, the women folk get ready for the next day with chira, pitha, laru, curd, etc. In the day, fuel has to be gathered, fish has to be got from ponds, streams and if possible some meat are too. In tribal setting, women prepare rice beer.

             Another important part of the Uruka is the made of  Bhelaghar. Sometimes cowherd pass the night in a Bhelaghar  warming themselves  by a fire and making use of the  vegetable that they  steal from the villagers gardens and  the eatables  that are given them .

               Thus , Uruka is celebrated enjoyfully in upper Assam and lower Assam .

b. Give an account of the various food items prepared and eaten during  the festival of Magh Bihu .

OR  -    Food ia an integral aspect of the celebration of Magh Bihu   . Describe the importance of food in relation to the festivity of Magh Bihu .

Ans:-Food is the most chore or significant part of Magh Bihu and Uruka . For this festival , the womenfolk get ready for the Magh Bihu  with chira , pitha , laru , curd and so on . On this occasion , fuel has to be gathered and fish has to be collect from ponds and streams for feasting . Some meat are also involved in feasting . The tribal women prepare rice beer . In the night of the Uruka, the feasting is taken in the Bhelaghar  .

                    The lunch of the Magh Bihu is not the rice and curry instead/ but chira pitha , curd , and so on . Some special preparation like mah – karai (mah – kare ) , tekeli – pitha , sunga – pitha ,  milk  and gur  are also  eaten in this day .

                      The evening meal of the Magh Bihu  consist of rice sometimes new rice , curry of black gram , fried yam(মিঠা আলু) and so on

                      Thus, the various food items are prepared during the festival of uruka or magh bihu.                                                                                                                                                             
        

c. All though the kacharis , the most numerous tribe of Assam , have similar customs like the Magh Bihu , day differ in certain features . Describe the manner in which the Kacharis celebrate their festival during the time of Assamese Magh Bihu .(Textual Q.no.3)

OR - How do the kacharis celebrate the magh bihu or uruka ?

OR  - How  do the kacharis consider the Bhela – ghars ? .(Write this answer from the third paragraph )

OR -  What is the prayer of kacharis during the time of setting fire . Why does it pray  or  what is the theme  or reason of the prayer .(Write this answer from the third paragraph )

Ans:-        Among the other communities of Assam , the Kacharis are also celebrated  the Magh Bihu enjoyfully . They tie cords(পঘা/ৰচী) round fruit-bearing trees . They offer rice to “the flying, the sinking(ডুবা) and the moving”, that to birds, to fishes ,and to animals like dogs,  and pigs .

                 Further , on the Domahi day, they put a mark of water mixed with cowdung(গোবৰ) around their granary(ভঁৰাল). On the seventh day of Magh Bihu (sixth Magh ) they again clean the  utensils , sacrifice fowls to Bathou ,their god and go out carol singing, collecting eatables . They call its custom magan or begging .

                  Kacharis consider the construction of Bhelaghar  and setting fire to them to  be the special prerogative(বিশেষ অধিকাৰ) of cowherd boys . The boys burn the Bhelaghar before the dawn with a prayer “Glory , glory ,glory – glory to our village !” .  This prayer is prayed not to visit the disease in their village and increasing the paddy and be riches also that their cattle may be large and strong like rhinoceros and the elephant . 

                    Thus, the kacharis celebrate the magh bihu or uruka.

Additional Questions And Answers:

1.When did the magh bihu held on people of lower Assam and upper Assam?(1 mark )

Ans:-The magh bihu festival holds on in post harvest winter.

2.What are the other name of Bohag bihu ,Kati bihu and Magh bihu? (2 marks )

Ans:-The other name of Bohag bihu is Rangali Bihu or Cheering bihu,  the other name of Kati Bihu is Kongali Bihu and the other name of Magh bihu is bhogali bihu or the bihu of enjoyment.

3.Which bihu is closely associated with a fire ceremony?(1 mark)

Ans:-In magh bihu, a fire ceremony is closely associated.

4.What is Uruka?(2 marks)

Ans:-Uruka is the bihu eve. It is the previous day of every bihu. In this day, the women folk get ready for the next day with chira, pitha, laru,curd ,etc. In the same day, fuel has to be gathered, fish has to be got from ponds, streams and if possible some meat are too. In tribal setting, women prepare rice beer.

5.What did  the tribal setting of women prepare for the bihu  or in Uruka ? (2 marks)

Ans:-In tribal setting of women prepare rice beer, usually undistilled(গেলা). In winter, they take four or five days to get the beer matured.

6.How  many days are needed for the beer matured in winter session?(1 mark)

Ans:-Four or five days are needed for the beer matured in the winter session.

7.Who is the writer of the lesson ‘Magh Bihu OR Maghar Domahi’? From which book this essay has been extracted? (2 marks)

Ans:-Dr. Praphulladatta Goswasmi is the writer of the lesson, 'Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi'. This essay is extracted from the book, “Festivals of Assam”.

8.What is  the name of temple build in “Uruka” of magh bihu ?  Who usually take a hand in this ?  How does it structure made?  What is the other name of the temple? How it is look like and what is called the   hutlike?(1+1+1+1+1=5 marks)

Ans:- The temple-shaped build in ‘Uruka” of Magh Bihu is called ‘Meji’ and which are hut like those are called ‘Bhelaghar’.

            Usually, young lads take a hand in this.

             The structure of Meji or Bhelaghar are made with green bamboo, dried banana leaves, hay(খেৰ) and so on.

             The other name of temple is Bhelaghar or Meji.

             It’s look like a temple which is called Meji and which are hut like those are called ‘Bhelaghar’.

9.“The half-burnt  sticks are scattered in the fields and pieces may be brought home to be thrown near fruit-bearing trees”.

              What is the belief /mention the belief of the half-burnt sticks that are scattered in the fields and pieces may be brought home to be thrown near fruit-bearing trees? (2 marks)

Ans:-The belief is that the ashes and half-burnt bamboos increase the fertility of fields and gardens .

10. What is the belief of European on the lighted Lentern and midsummer fire? (2 marks)

Ans:-For the Europeans, it is belief that lighted Lentern and midsummer fire had the belief in the efficacy(ফলপ্রসুতা) of ashes(ছাই) and embers(এঙাৰ) as a means of fertility(উৰ্বৰ).

11.Why does some of Europeans tying bands of straw round tree-trunks ? (2 marks)

Ans:-Some of Europeans had the custom of tying bands of straw(নৰা) round tree-trunks to render them fruitful .

12.What is the origin of the fire rituals?(1 mark)

Ans:-The fire rituals have apparently an Indo­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­-European origin.

13.Why do the fire set on the mejis and Bhelaghars? (2 marks)

And:- The malefolk and the children set fire on the mejis and Bhelaghars that the red flames warm the people so long shivering in cold.

14.What do the Brahmins or elderly persons do in the Uruka? (1 mark)

Ans:-The Brahmins or the elderly persons give blessing and put marks of ash(মিট্টিকা ফুট) on the forehead(কপাল).

15.What  do the people take in the evening  meal of uruka ? (2 marks)

Ans:-The evening meal consist of rice or new rice, curry of black gram(মাটি মাহৰ তৰকাৰী), fried yam(মিঠা আলু) and so on . Next day, at noon it is customary to take a little left over rice kept soaked(ভিজোৱা) in water and left – overdal.

16.What is takeli pitha ? (2 marks)

Ans:-Takeli pitha is a type of pitha wich is made from salted rice powder steamed  on the mouth of small pitcher(কলহ) or even a kettle .

17.What is sunga pitha ? What is the different in present situation and the Upper Assam ? How is it made with? (2 marks)

Ans:-Sunga pitha is a type of pitha which is made from moist(ভিজোৱা) rice powder put in a green bamboo tube and roasted(সিঁজোৱা) in fire. The ingredient mixed with the powder used to be salt but now-a-days some people prefer a sweet variety.

                      In upper Assam , the people make  “sunga – saul” (another name of sunga pitha ) which is made from the sticky bora rice steamed in a bamboo tube . When it is  done, the sticky roll is made into pieces and eaten mixed with milk and gur . In upper Assam, there seems to be a preference  for fried  pithas .

18.In which part of Assam does Magh Bihu have a stronger hold ? (2 marks)

Ans:-Magh Bihu ,the post – harvest winter festival seems to have a stronger hold on people of lower Assam, not excluding the tribals .

God Bless you all……