ASSAM QUIZ 3

What is Ojapali?

Answer

Oja-Pali or Ojapali is an unique traditional folk dance form of Assam. It is a combination of three art forms – Song, Dance and Drama. Ojapali is performed by a group of chorus singers and dancers (usually 4 to 5). The Oja is the leader of the chorus and the Palis are his assistants They dance, play small cymbals (Khutitals) and tells mythological stories from Hindu epics and Puranas. The performers wear long sleeved white gowns, silver jewelry and Nupurs. There are three types of Oja-Pali: Sukananni Ojapali, Ramayani Ojapali and Vyaha Ojapali. Point to be noted that Oja-pali is performed only by men.

$$$$$

What is Mising Autonomous Council?

Answer

Mising Autonomous Council (MAC) is an autonomous administrative division in the state of Assam. The Mising Autonomous Council was constituted under the Mising Autonomous Council Act, 1995, for all round development in the area of economic, educational, socio- cultural and ethnic identity of Mising People. Misings (Mishings), also known as Miris, are the second largest schedule tribe group of Assam.

The Mising Autonomous Council covers Mising-dominant areas in 8 districts of Assam. The districts are Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Golaghat and Jorhat. Headquarters of Mising Autonomous Council is located at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district of Assam.

Source: Mising Autonomous Council Official Website

$$$$$

Name of the First Bodo Language Novel?

Answer

Zuzaini Or. Written by Chittaranjan Mushahary, “Zuzaini Or” or “Jujaini Or” was the first novel in Bodo language. The novel was published in 1962. ‘Zuzaini Or’ means “fire of husk”. Zuzaini Or is a social novel. It is now widely used as textbook of Bodo literature in various universities. Bodo is one of the major languages of the state of Assam, India.

$$$$$

Name of the first Bodo short story?

Answer

Abari. Written by Ishan Chandra Mushahary, Abari was the first published short story in Bodo language. Abari is the name of a girl. The Bodo language short story was published in the magazine “Hathorkhi Hala”. Bodo is a Tibeto-Burman language, spoken by Bodo people of Assam. Bodo language is one of the 22 scheduled languages recognized by the Constitution of India.

$$$$$

What is Ali-Ai-Ligang?

Answer

Ali-Ai-Ligang is a spring-time seed sowing festival celebrated by Mising tribe of Assam. ‘Ali’ means root, seed; ‘Ai’ means fruit and ‘Ligang’ means ‘to sow’. Ali-Ai-Ligang is celebrated every year in the month of ‘Ginmur Polo’ (February-March). It begins with Ligange Lange, the first Wednesday of ‘Ginmur Polo’ and lasts for five full days. The Ali-Ai-Ligang celebration is accompanied by singing and dancing, which makes it a colourful and grand festival.

$$$$$

What is Naam Ghosa?

Answer

Nam Ghosa or Naam Ghosa is a Vaishnavite scripture written by Mahapurush Madhavdeva in Sixteenth century. This holy text is one of the most important books of Assamese Vaishnavism. Nam Ghosa contains one thousand (and one) verses and thus was initially known as “Hajari Ghosa”.

Madhabdev was the chief disciple of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, the great social reformer and father of neo-vaishnavism in Assam. His crowning literary work is Naam Ghosa, which lays down the core philosophy of Mahapurushism.

$$$$$

What is BTAD?

Answer

BTAD is the acronym of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD). BTAD refers to the area under the jurisdiction of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam. Created under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India, BTAD consists of 4 districts — Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang. These districts were carved out of seven existing districts of Assam — Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Barpeta, Kamrup, Sonitpur and Darrang. The current capital of BTAD is Kokrajhar.

$$$$$

What is BTC?

Answer

BTC is the acronym of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). BTC is an Autonomous self governing body within the State of Assam. It enjoys Constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Bodoland Territorial Council was formed after a memorandum was signed between the Centre, Government of Assam and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) on February 10, 2003. The goal of formation of BTC was to protect cultural and ethnic identity of the Bodos; fulfill their economic, educational and linguistic aspirations; and to speed up infrastructure development.

$$$$$

Bodo Sahitya Sabha was founded in which year?

Answer

In 1952. Bodo Sahitya Sabha is the largest literary and cultural organization of the Bodo people. It works for promotion of Bodo language, literature and culture. On November 16, 1952, Bodo Sahitya Sabha was founded under the presidency of Joy Bhadra Hagjer. The first General Secretary was Sonaram Thaosen. Since it’s inception, Bodo Sahitya Sabha is working for development and promotion of Bodo language. The current head office of the organization is located at Kokrajhar, BTAD, Assam.

Source: Bodo Sahitya Sabha

$$$$$

Name of the First Bodo Language Magazine

Answer

Bibar. Published in 1924, Bibar was the first Bodo language magazine.  It was a quarterly magazine published as an organ of the Assam Boro students’ conference. Editor of Bibar magazine was Satish Chandra Basumatary. The word “Bibar” means “flower”. The first Bodo journal covered topics related to religion, ethics, culture and morality. There was also a poetry section in Bibar.

$$$$$