Gamosa -Its Undeniable Importance In Assam

GAMOSA...A Gamosa is basically a hand woven white rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and a red woven motif on the fourth.In Assam it is equally used by all irrespective of status,religious and ethnic backgrounds.One can't imagine any kind of social-events,religious ones,cultural event  or even important official-or political meetings taking place in Assam without a Gamosa. Gamosa is of great significance for the people of Assam.A Gamosa has many uses....in a general Assamese household it is used like as a towel ,i use or prefer them to towels as gamosas are very soft because they are cent-percent cotton made,easy to maintain,take very less space in a washing machine and dry pretty faster than a regular towel.......i am little uncomfortable in using hotel towels so i always carry a couple of gamosas with me.My folks at Delhi have already informed me to bring them new supply of gamosas as they are running short of these.

Gamosa is used to cover the altar at the prayer halls and the holy scriptures are covered by it...Farmers use it as a waistcloth(tongali)and a bihu dancer wraps it around his head into a knot.Guests are welcomed with the offerings of Gamosa.....so anyone of you who plans to visit me is ensured one....this is really practised not only at my house but in each and every Assamese household.During our Bihu festival we offer gamosas(BIHUWAAN) to the elder members of our families or to even family friends and elder people in neighbourhood as a mark of respect.....we dont just give it just like that ,its a tradition to first touch their feet and than present them gamosa.This bihu we bought more than 50 gamosas(my ma-in-law was not very happy about it as her loom was not assembled ...she loves to weave gamosas and before bihu arrives she is ready with a gamosa for each member and relative of our family).The gamosa shown below is woven by her.