Culture of Assam

1. Culture of Assam The culture of Assam is formed by co-mingling cultural elements of South East Asian countries. It is constituted of different sub systems. Symbolism is a key element of Assamese culture. Significant symbolic elements are Tamulpan, Xorai and Gamosa. Assamese are hospitable and revered their ancestors; they show reverence towards betel leaves, symbolic clothes like Gamosa and traditional silk. Festivals of Assam Bihu is the most popular festival celebrated by Assamese .The word Bihu is a derivation of ‘visuvan’ implying all the Indian festivals colligated with March equinox. It is the celebration to welcome seasons and it is vital for a farmer’s life in Assam. Although this festival retained its originality it incorporated specific characteristics of the city life. Assamese Art Assam too had a treasure of exquisite crafts and artifacts. It is copious in producing brass craft, metal craft, mask- making, potteries, cane and bamboo crafts, and jewelry. Assam is known to the world for its dainty silk named Assam Silk. The silk tinged with golden embroideries is known as Muga. Others include Pat silk, which is cream colored meshed with silver color. Nice woolens called Eri are found here. The lineage of Assam rulers had presented the region with marvelous paintings. The people of Assam are very fond of sculpture and various art forms like applied arts of Patuas and Chitrakars. During Medieval period, important works of paintings include Hastividyarnava, Chitra Bhagawata and the Gita Govinda have influenced the Assamese literature. Local painters used local paints like hangool and haital. Cuisine of Assam The cuisine of Assam is oriented to typical East Indian style. Various local styles

2. and external influences have contributed in the food preparation. Foods are less spicy but have strong smell due to ample use of fruits and vegetables that are dried out and soured. A traditional Assamese meal starts with khar and gets completed by tenga, a sour dish. The betel leaves and paan are the last items in the meal. Rice is the staple food of Assamese. Xandoh and kamul are breakfast; Pithas made of rice is a sweet dish. Fish is indispensable in the tribal meals. Green leafy vegetables called xaak is widely eaten by the people of the region, especially during Rongali Bihu.