The Unsung traditions of Uruka

Feasts – a word that strikes in the mind of every Assamese folks and the word that does not need any elaboration if it is explained by one term called Uruka. The word Uruka is itself a feel. The people from the land of Assam does not need to mention it further. One word “Uruka” is enough to unite the whole community.

Assam has its first festival in the month of January. The first Bihu of the year – Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated in the middle of the month of January when the winter is at its peak. The foggy winters escorted by dews is the alarm that the festival season has landed in Assam. After the annual harvest is completed, the people of Assam gear up to celebrate this festival with fun and follies. The day before the Magh Bihu is celebrated as Uruka. Uruka is the last day of the month Pausa – in Hindu Calendars it is known as Paush or Poush maas, which begins in the month of December and it stands as the ninth month of the year.

The night before the Uruka is a hectic day for all the indigenous people of the land. Bhelaghar – a term, attached with the festival of Uruka. The people here gather by the riverside or near a paddy field to build bhelaghars. The bhelaghars are temporary houses made from the leftovers of dried straws and banana leaves. Whereas, on the day of Uruka people used to cook variety of delicious dishes accompanied by music, dance and bonfire till late night.

Uruka is all about delicious meals that includes fishes, chickens, meats, and ducks. Local fishes such as Chitol, Rohu, Bahu, Sol, Barali, Ari are cooked with utmost passion and love.   

The women folks get ready to bake Larus made of coconut, til etc, pithas which include Til Pitha, Ghila Pitha, Narikol (coconut) Pitha, Hutuli Pitha, Tekeli Pitha, Sunga Pitha are a few mouthwatering authentic dishes made especially on the occasion of Magh Bihu. On the eve of Magh Bihu, a special munching chaat known as Mah Karai is made which consists of soaked black sesame seeds, crunchy bora saul (a glutinous rice found in Assam), gram, chana fried tossed in mustard oil, ginger and salt which brings life to the occasion! 

The hidden treasure of Uruka comes alive when the youngsters in the midst of the night try to steal something for fun! Earlier in the village, the youngsters used to roam around at night searching for somethings which can be utilized in Uruka for whimsical. That “something” can be an alive duck or hen which later can be cooked and eaten, or a door made of bamboo which can be plucked from the house and used in the bonfire. The interesting fact about stealing is that the people also does not bother the scold or obsolete the younger ones for the mischievous act. The things which are stolen are not carried out in purpose of harming the sentiments or financial status of one’s stolen from. It is an act of horseplay. This is an age-old process which is prolonged, generation after generation and, is like a ritual specially in the villages during the time of Uruka.

The festival Uruka also contributes in making of the Meji. Meji’s are built before the celebration of Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. Meji looks like a shape of a cone. It is made of wood or tree leaves accompanied by dried banana leaves which is to be burnt on the very next day, (on the day of Magh Bihu) in the dawn, right after the festival of Uruka is wrapped up.

On the day of Magh Bihu, people used to wake up early in the morning preferably at dawn and then take a shower and move on to the place where the Meji and Bhelaghar is located. It is believed that, people remember the ancestral God for blessings with the offerings of earther lamps, incense sticks along with Paan (Betel Leaves) and Tamul (Areca Nuts). After praying to the almighty, the Meji is illuminated with fire and at the end, the Bhelaghar is also burnt. After the ritual of Meji and Bhelaghar is concluded, the ashes of the bonfire are utilized in the trees and crops in order to increase the fertility of the fields and gardens. 

Uruka is a word that bonds communities together. It is a festival that brings people close to each other. This festival is dedicated to love, care and togetherness. People comes in contact of one another and instead of gifting their loved ones, they contribute to the meals to be cooked on the day of Uruka by the means of sharing edibles which can be anything starting from non-vegetarian items such as fish, chicken, meat to sweet tooth items. This festival marks the relevance of food and family and also visiting friends and families for celebration which continues for more than a week!