Husori

Husori is carol singing and dancing in a group consisting of only men, led by an elderly one. The term Husori remains unexplained, though there have suggestions as regards its derivation. Some says Hari ucchari after taking the name of Hari (Crying Hari) while some use the term Hachari and explain it to mean moving over land: ha(land) char (to move). This may e also know as folk- etymology.

A village may have more than one band of Husori signers. Each band visits first villages not contiguous to its own village. It is custom to first dance and sing in the yard of the village Namghar, then visit houses of the respectable persons, very old persons, not necessary to be rich or poor. In older days the feudal lords and monastic heads had the first honour from these Husori signers. People take Husori as a respectable way since it is related to religion.

The Husori bands of young ad middle aged men are the symbols of the Raji or community and it is obligation to secure their blessings.

The Husori dance is a ring dance, in which the men move in a shuffling manner, with a leader in the middle, who starts the songs while the others take up the refrain. Husori looks like a Hindu institution, where the songs are completely innocuous, for example 

‘Krishi murote okul phul epali

niyor pai mukoli hol

oi Govidai Ram’
They sometimes echo the language of Bihu songs, sometimes which of Vaishavatie scriptures sometimes even ballads are made use of, while at other times the verses sung are almost nonsensical.