Mohoho
{{orphan|date=May 2024}}
{{Short description|Folk festival celebrated in the lower Assam region of India}}
{{Orphan|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Mohoho
| nickname = Moho-ho
| logo =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| logo_size =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| genre = Festival
| frequency = Annually
| venue =
| location = Lower Assam division
| country = India
}}
Mohoho is a folk festival celebrated in the lower Assam region of India, especially in the districts of Kamrup, Goalpara, Barpeta, Nalbari, and Darrang.{{cite book |last=Datta |first=Birendranatha |date=1995 |title=A Study of the Folk Culture of the Goalpara Region of Assam |url= |location=Gauhati |publisher=University Publication Department, Gauhati University |page=308 |isbn=}}{{cite book |last= |first= |date=1966 |title=Census of India, 1961 |url= |location=New Delhi |publisher=Manager of Publications |page= |isbn= }} The festival is held in the month of Agrahayana or Aghun, which is November–December as per modern day Georgian Calendar, during the full moon night.
Etymology
The name "Mohoho" is derived from the Assamese word "moh", which means "mosquito", and the Bodo word "ho", which means "to drive away".{{cite book |title=Assamese Grammar and Origin of the Assamese Language |author=Kaliram Medhi |page=55 |publisher=Publication Board, Assam |location=Guwahati |date=1988 |language=English }} The festival is a way to drive away mosquitoes and other pests that are common during this time of year.{{cite book |title=Fairs and Festivals of India, Volume 5 |isbn= |page=471 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |location=New Delhi |date=2003 |author=Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, Dr. Krishna Gopal}}
Observance
On the day of the festival, people gather in the village square and perform traditional dances and songs. They also make bamboo effigies of mosquitoes and burn them to symbolize the driving away of pests. The festival is a time for community bonding and celebrating the harvest.{{cite news|title=Moho-ho: A Festival Of Mosquitoes |url= https://nrivision.com/moho-ho-a-festival-about-mosquitoes/990/|publisher=nrivision.com |location= |access-date=}}
Mohoho is a unique and colorful festival that is a part of the rich cultural heritage of Assam. It is a time to celebrate the harvest, reminder of the importance of community and cooperation, and drive away pests.
Lyrics
{{Cquote|অ’হৰি মহোহো।
মহ খেদবা টাকান লৌ॥
মহে বোলে মল্লু দে।
টেপল পুৰা খালু দে॥
টেপলত নহ’ল নুন।
চাউল লাগে দুণ দুণ॥
বাঁহৰ পাত চিকিমিকি।
আমাক নাংগে আধলি-সিকি॥
বাঁহৰ পাত পকা।
আমাক লাগে টকা॥
অ’ হৰি অ’ ৰাম
O Hari Maho-ho
Mah Kheidba Tokan Lo
Mahe Bule Moillu De
Tepol Pura Khali De
Tepolot Nahal Nun
Chaol Kahre Don Don
Baahor paat chikimiki
Amaak naange aadheli-siki
Baahor paat poka
Amaak laage toka
O Hari O Ram.}}