Assamese Gamosa: How a ‘hybrid’ gamosa sparked protests across Assam

Source: The post is based on the article “How a ‘hybrid’ gamosa sparked protests across Assam” published in Indian Express on 1st April 2023

What is the News?

A newly formed Bangla Sahitya Sabha Assam (BSSA) used a hybrid creation — an Assamese gamosa and a Bengali gamcha, each cut in half and sewn together — to felicitate guests at a function.

Due to this, protests broke out in different parts of the state, particularly by Assam nationalist organizations and student groups, claiming that this creation was an insult to the Assamese gamosa.

What is Assamese Gamosa?

Assamese Gamosa/Gamusa or Gamucha is one of the most recognisable cultural symbols of Assam.

Features: It is a white rectangular piece of cloth with embroidered red borders.

– The red border is called the “anchu” and is believed to be a sign of Ahom strength. “Anchu” was derived from a certain red flower which was also known as “anchu”.

Made up of: While most Gamosas are made of cotton, few utilized in special occasions are made from Silk too.

Uses: It is mostly used as an article presented to guests, elders, family or friends on special occasions as a sign of respect. No important ceremony or event is complete without the Gamosa.

– It also has a special relationship with the Vaishnavite culture in Assam. The axon, the main place of worship, is considered incomplete without one.

GI Tag: Assamese Gamosa received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022.