General Knowledge of Assam - Complete Guide
What Are The Traditional Musical Instruments Of The Rabha Tribe In Assam And What Is Their Cultural Importance?
The Rabha tribe of Assam, known for its rich cultural traditions, uses a variety of traditional musical instruments that play an essential role in their festivals, dances, and rituals. These instruments are handmade using locally available materials like bamboo, wood, and animal skin, reflecting the community’s deep connection with nature.
Badungduppa is a bamboo-made musical instrument of the Rabha tribe used during the performance of the Farkanti dance. The instrument is prepared from a tube of bamboo cut at the closed ends of two inter-nodes.
One of the most important instruments is the Kham, a large drum made from wood and animal skin, played during the Baikho Festival and other community celebrations. The Flute (Banshi), crafted from bamboo, produces melodious tunes that accompany Rabha folk songs. Other instruments include the Nagada (a type of traditional drum), Cymbals, and bamboo clappers used to maintain rhythm during dances.
These instruments are not merely musical tools but symbols of Rabha identity, spirituality, and social unity. They set the rhythm for traditional dances, energize harvest celebrations, and strengthen cultural bonds within the community.
The traditional instruments of the Rabha tribe showcase the tribe’s artistic craftsmanship and stand as a living expression of Assam’s tribal folk music heritage.