Current Affairs - Art and Culture

Moh-Juj, the traditional buffalo fights, made a triumphant return in Assam during the Magh Bihu festival in mid-January 2024 after a hiatus of nine years. This cultural resurgence in Assam reflects the revival of an age-old tradition, and the Assam Government's approval, along with strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensures a balanced approach between cultural preservation and animal welfare.

Kokborok Day is celebrated annually on January 19th in Tripura, India. The occasion marks the 46th anniversary of Kokborok's recognition as an official language of the state alongside Bengali and English. The celebration highlights the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Tripuri people, who consider Kokborok, also known as Tripuri or Tiprakoka, as their native language. This language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family, closely related to Bodo, Dimasa, and Kachari spoken in Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.

The 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) is set to take place at Seijosa in the Pakke Kessang district of Arunachal Pradesh from January 18-20, 2024. Initiated in 2015, the festival aims to celebrate the Nyishi tribal group's significant role in conserving hornbills within the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR). The event focuses on recognizing the Nyishi tribe's contributions to hornbill conservation, generating alternative sources of income for the region, and raising awareness about PTR and its wonders across India.

Tamil Nadu, known for its cultural richness, initiated the Jallikattu competition in the village of Avaniyapuram, marking a significant highlight of the Pongal harvest festival celebrated in the second week of January. The three-day event, with Avaniyapuram hosting the first day, Palamedu on the second day, and Alanganallur on the third, showcases the traditional bull-taming sport's excitement.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, celebrated as Prakash Utsav, honours the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth and last Sikh Guru. Sikh communities worldwide celebrate this significant day with joy, remembering Guru Gobind Singh's exceptional leadership and teachings, particularly his ascension to Guruship at the age of nine.