Elephant races, horse sprints draw crowds at 114th Suwari festival in Assam’s Boko

The 114th edition of the Suwari Festival was celebrated with traditional fervour and large public participation in Boko on April 20, showcasing a blend of ritual observances, cultural performances and indigenous sporting events.

The festival began with a mass Bihu performance by nearly 500 drummers and dancers, setting the tone for the day. Traditional attractions such as elephant races, horse sprints and footraces drew large crowds. Other events, including tug-of-war, water-carrying races, and local games like dhama-kobowa, were also organised.

Cultural programmes highlighted the region’s diversity, with performances from Rabha, Boro, Garo and Koch-Rajbanshi communities, along with Nepali and Bengali groups. Folk forms such as Ojapali, Bor Dhuliya and Bohurangi were presented alongside devotional recitations.

Rituals formed an integral part of the celebration, with priests bringing sacred items such as Gosai, Nisan and Sharai in a ceremonial procession to the festival ground. A collective prayer was offered later in the day, seeking prosperity and protection for the upcoming agricultural season.

The event was inaugurated by Dipak Kumar, president of the Suwari Festival Committee. Several dignitaries, including former MLA Jyotiprasad Das and representatives of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, were present.

Organisers said the festival continues to serve as a platform for preserving traditional practices and promoting communal harmony.