The Gamosa or Gamusa is (from Assamese গা (ga) and মোচা (mosa) 'Body wipes or Towel') an article of significance for the indigenous people of

Assam Assam (; ) is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur ...

, India. It is generally a white rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth (in addition to red, other colors are also used). Although

cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor pe ...

yarn is the most common material for making/weaving gamosas, there are special occasion ones made from Pat silk. A 1,455.3 meter long Gamusa displayed in Delhi created world record as it became the world's longest hand woven piece of cloth.

Origin of the name

Literally translated, it means 'something to wipe the body with' (''Ga''=body, ''musa''=to wipe) however, interpreting the word ''gamosa'' as the towel is misleading. The word gamosa is derived from the Kamrupi word gamsaw, the cloth used to cover the Bhagavad Purana at the altar. The Gamusa has its original from either the Tai people or from other people in East and South-East Asia using similar article.

Usage

Though it may be used daily to wipe the body after a bath (an act of purification), the use is not restricted to this. *It is used to cover the altar at the prayer hall or cover the scriptures. An object of reverence is never placed on the bare ground, but always on a ''gamusa''. *It is used by the farmer, fishermen or hunter as a waistcloth (''tongali'') or a loincloth (''suriya'') or Gamsa; a

Bihu dance The Bihu dance is an indigenous folk dance from the Indian state of Assam related to the Bihu festival and an important part of Assamese culture. Performed in a group, the Bihu dancers are usually young men and women, and the dancing style is cha ...

r wraps it around the head with a fluffy knot (see picture). *It is hung around the neck at the prayer hall (''naamghar'') and was thrown over the shoulder in the past to signify social status. *Guests are welcomed with the offering of a ''gamusa'' and ''tamul'' (

betel nut The betel (''Piper betle'') is a vine of the family Piperaceae, which includes pepper and kava. The betel plant is native to Southeast Asia. It is an evergreen, dioecious perennial, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkins. Betel p ...

) and elders are offered gamusas (referred to as ''bihuwaan'' in this case) during

Bihu Bihu is a set of three important Assamese festivals in the Indian state of Assam – 'Rongali' or 'Bohag Bihu' observed in April, 'Kongali' or 'Kati Bihu' observed in October, and 'Bhogali' or 'Magh Bihu' observed in January. The Rongali Bihu i ...

. One can therefore, very well say, that the ''gamusa'' symbolizes the indigenous life and culture of Assam.

Cultural significance

Significantly the ''gamusa'' is used equally by all irrespective of religious and ethnic backgrounds. At par with ''gamusa'', there are beautifully woven symbolic clothes with attractive graphic designs being used by different cultural sub-systems and ethno-cultural groups as well. There were various other symbolic elements and designs traditionally in use, which are now only found in literature, art, sculpture, architecture, etc. or used for only religious purposes (in particular occasions only). The typical designs of Assamese-lion, dragon, flying-lion, etc. were used for symbolizing various purposes and occasions. On December 13 of 2022, Gamosa of Assam received the

Geographical Indication A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product's source, ...

tag.

Notes and references

External links

{{Clothing in South Asia Culture of Assam Textiles and clothing of Assam Scarves Indian clothing Indian culture Geographical indications in Assam Geographical indications in India Festivals in Assam

Origin of the name

Usage

Cultural significance

See also

Notes and references

External links