On Saturday, January 24, 2009, the Assamese community in Northeastern United States gathered at the Kingston Presbyterian Church on Route 27 in Kingston, New Jersey to celebrate Magh Bihu. The day started with a traditional Assamese jaal-pan consisting of a variety of pithas, laroo, and sira-doi. At around 5 PM, the children of the community participated in games, e.g., hot potato and spoon-race followed by a game of hot potato by the adults. Games were followed by a cultural program showcasing the talents of the younger generation through song, dance, and playing of musical instruments.
The Magh Bihu was culminated with a scrumptious Assamese dinner consisting of rice, daal, khar, saag, aloo bhajii, masor tenga, chicken curry, vendi, cauliflower bhaji, etc., including bhut jalakia aasar and a full assortment of desserts including mithai, payash and custard. The food was prepared by many dedicated volunteers from the Assamese community and everyone who attended was thankful for the delicious and authentic meal. Almost 100 people from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut attended the event; partly due to good January weather. There were several new members to the community who brought additional joy to the event.
The Magh Bihu was concluded with the community collectively singing O Mor Apunar Desh. As in the past, this year’s Bihu celebration would not have been possible without the hard-work of all the volunteers and their perseverance and commitment to help preserve Assamese culture abroad. Once again, the celebration of this year’s Magh Bihu allowed the Assamese community in the NE USA to come together and celebrate their culture and heritage. The community is eagerly waiting to embrace the Assamese New Year (Rongali Bihu) in mid April.
By Aabir Das, Photographs by Sanjib Bhuyan
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