Bihu :
             The Bihus are the national festivals of Assam. There are three such festivals in Assam: in the months of Bohaag (Baisakh, the middle of Appril), Maagh (the middle of January), and Kaati (Kartik, the middle of October). The Bihus have been celebrated in Assam from ancient times. Each Bihu coincides with a distinctive phase in the farming calendar. The Bohaag Bihu marks the New Year at the advent of seeding time, the Kaati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies, and the Maagh Bihu marks the end of the harvesting period. Bohaag Bihu is also called the Rongaali Bihu or the Festival of Merriment, Maagh Bihu is also called Bhogaali Bihu or the Festival of Food, Kaati Bihu is also called Kongaali Bihu or the Festival of the Poor.
The merriments include dances accompanied on the wild and lusty beats of Dhol and Pepa (buffalo hornpipe). Songs sung in this Bihu are woven around themes of love and often carry erotic overtones. People adorn traditional attires like Dhoti, Gamocha and Chadar, Mekhala.

             Of the three Bihu festivals which are secular and non-religious, the Bohaag Bihu ushers in the period of greatest enjoyment and marks the arrival of Spring. The folk songs associated with the Bohaag Bihu are called Bihugeets or Bihu songs. The Bohaag Bihu lasts for several days during which "the young people in the village may be seen moving about in groups gaily dressed or forming circles in the midst of which the prettiest girls dance" singing songs of love and romance. Such gatherings are called Mukoli Bihus (Open Bihus). The songs are very popular among all sections of the people.

             The Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated in January. Feasting animal and bird fights accompanied by dance and music form entertainment part of this Bihu. Kati Bihu or Kangali Bihuis celebrated in Kartika or October-November.

                The main attraction of Bihu has been the distinct dance that is mainly done by young boys and girls. Brisk stepping, flinging. Almost all ethnic groups of Assam have their own distinct style of Bihu dance.

Bihu Dance

Ali-Ai-Ligang :
                  This again is a spring festival celebrated by the Mising tribe. This is one of the most colourful festivals of Assam. It is organised in the month of 'Ginmur Polo' (February-March) on the first Wednesday of the month. 'Ali' means root, 'Ai' means fruit and 'Ligang' means sow. Hence, it is festival which initiates cultivation. Fish is essential in the feast and certain taboos like cutting trees, fishing, ploughing, burning jungles are strictly observed. Young boys and girls perform this dance.

Ambubasi Mela :
        This festival is organised every year during monsoon period at the Kamakhya temple of Guwahati. The fair attracts thousands of devotees from all over the nation. Ambubasi is closely related to the Tantrik rituals that are performed during this festival. The legend associated with the fair is that this period comes during menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya. On the occasion, the temple remains close for first three days and devotees can worship the Goddess only on the fourth day.
Jonbeel Mela :
        Jonbeel of Jagiroad is host to one of the most spectacular and popular fairs in Assam. Come winter and tribes & communities like Tiwa, Karbi, Khasi, Jaintia come down with their products for this Mela. This is perhaps the only fair in India where barter system is still alive. A big market is organised during this fair and people from various tribes and communities exchange their products. But before the fair opens fire worship or Agni Puja is performed. Another interesting feature is that the King of Tiwa tribe collects taxes from his subjects. Colourful dances and music mark the fair. The whole atmosphere is swinging with fun and joy. Mutual understanding and harmonious living is the message of the fair.


Rava Dance
 Bohaggiyo Bishu :
Unrestricted joy, merriment and fun accompany the Bohaggiyo festival that is celebrated during mid-April at a stretch for seven days. The term Bishu can be understood as 'Bi' means extreme and 'Su' means rejoicing. This festival is mainly celebrated by the Deoris. It is commonly believed that this festival comes on Sankranti day but observations prove this is not a fixed rule. But the festivals begin on Wednesday and it is initiated by Than Puja. Every fourth year a buffalo is sacrificed. This sacrifice is in place of the traditional human sacrifice. Deodhani dance and Husori or carol songs are the main attractions of the festival.
Rajini Gabra & Harni Gabra :
        This essentially a religious practice before starting the new cultivation. The Dimasa tribe celebrates the festival. Rajini Gabra starts with Kunang or the village headman propitiating the family deity by closing the village gate on the Puja day. In the night, presiding deity is worshipped for protection and prosperity of the people. This function is called Harni Gabra. An interesting feature of this festival is that if any outsider enters the functions after the gates are closed, then the celebrations are considered spoiled and the intruder has to bear the cost of starting the functions afresh.

Dimasa Dance

Karbi Dance

Rongker and Chomangkan :
Karbi Anglong, the serene and beautiful abode of the peace loving Karbis. This Mongoloid tribe migrated to this region several years ago. They celebrate two festivals Rongker and Chomangkan. Rongker is essentially a spring festival, which propitiates different God and Goddess for the welfare of village. The festival is organised to keep away diseases, natural calamities and ofcourse for good harvest.

On the other hand Chomangkan is an elaborate death ceremony. There is no fixed time for this ceremony and it is organised according to convenience of the community. This four day and four night ceremony is a must for every Karbis.

Baikho :
                     Baikho is essentially a spring festival, which is celebrated to propitiate the goddess of wealth 'Baikho'. The various groups of Rabha community celebrate this festival.

Dosa Thoi! Long Nai :
            A very important religious dance festival performed the Bathou Puja dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva. In this the priest dances Deodhani dance with a bowl on his head.