The Cultural Significance of Proverbs in Mithila Festivals

Proverbs (Fakara or sayings) are a jewel of folk language. They serve as concise formulas for expressing public opinion, with meanings that are expanded upon in detail. The explanation or interpretation of these formulas follows established traditions. Proverbs express prevailing beliefs, entertainment, satire, suggestions, and moral lessons in a simple, understandable way. They have been passed down through generations in folk life. A proverb is not just an ornament of linguistic richness; it is also a mirror of society.

Proverbs are present in every culture and are an integral part of every language and society. Literature has preserved the social values and norms established by society through long experience in the form of proverbs. Proverbs (Fakara) play a significant role in understanding the Maithili language, culture, festivals, and customs. In Maithili culture, festivals are not just rituals but also a philosophy of folk life.

Many proverbs are prevalent in Maithili festivals. None are less important than others in terms of significance. However, if one must name a primary proverb, it is the one spoken around the Siruwa festival: 'Phagua Usare, Siruwa Pasare'. It connects the interval between two major festivals and also addresses all Mithila festivals in an integrated manner. The festival cycle begins with Satuwain and Jud Shital (Siruwa), celebrated every year on the last day of Chaitra and the first day of Baisakh.

Similarly, the Phagu festival, celebrated on the days before and after the full moon of the month of Phagun, serves as the final series of festivals for that year. In other words, the festival cycle spreads (Pasare) from the Siruwa festival and concludes (Usare) with the Phagu festival. That is why it is said, 'Phagua Usare, Siruwa Pasare'. The literal meaning of the phrase 'Siruwa Pasare, Phagua Usare' is that Siruwa (Maithili New Year/Jud Shital) initiates a new life, and Phagua (Holi) gives that cycle the form of a final celebration.

Festivals celebrated in Maithili culture are symbols of religious faith. These festivals are also a collection of traditions, arts, and social practices that keep society alive. Festivals are found to be religious, cultural, traditional, customary, celebratory, and entertaining in nature.

According to the annual cycle of Maithili festivals, Satuwain, Jud Shital (Siruwa), and Akshaya Tritiya fall in the months of Chaitra-Baisakh. Ganga Dashahara and Nirjala Ekadashi fall in the month of Jestha. Madhushravani begins in the month of Ashar and continues until the month of Saun. Nag Panchami is also celebrated with the conclusion of Madhushravani in Saun. Chaurchan, Kushi Amavasya, Krishna Janmashtami, and Raksha Bandhan fall in the month of Bhadau. Sharadiya Navaratra and Jitiya fall in the month of Asoj. The month of Kartik has the most festivals.

For example, Deepawali or Laxmi Puja, which is also celebrated as Kali Puja. Deepawali is celebrated as Yamapanchak. Yamapanchak includes Kukur Tihar, Gai Puja, Govardhan Puja, Dhanvantari Puja, and Bhai Tika, along with Chhath and Sama Chakewa in this month. Vivaha Panchami is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the month of Mangsir. Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi in the month of Poush holds great importance; the elderly often fast on this day. Tila Sankranti and Shri Panchami are important festivals in the month of Magh.

Tila Sankranti is celebrated under various names in different regions, such as Maghe Sankranti, Makar Sankranti, and Maghi. Since the sun enters the sign of Capricorn, the sun is worshipped on this day. Shri Panchami is the worship of the Panchami Tithi within the (Gupta) Navaratra of the month of Magh. Students celebrate Shri Panchami with great enthusiasm in schools as Saraswati Puja. Most schools have a permanent temple of Saraswati. In schools without a temple, a clay idol is placed for worship, and after the puja, the idol is immersed in water. Meanwhile, in Shakti Peeths, practitioners and spiritual individuals worship the goddess Shakti Navadurga, fast, and perform sadhana for all nine days of Navaratra.

Shivaratri and Holi are important festivals in the month of Phagun. Shivaratri is celebrated on the Phagun Krishna Trayodashi Tithi as the worship of Shiva and Parvati. Similarly, the Phagu festival, also known as Holi, is celebrated on the day of Phagun Purnima and Chaitra Krishna Pratipada. Holika Dahan is performed on the day of the full moon, and the following day, the victory of truth over falsehood is celebrated as a victory festival. On this day, people enjoy themselves through non-vegetarian food, sweets, alcohol, singing, dancing, teasing, and various methods like the proverb 'Bura Na Mano Holi Hai' (Don't mind, it's Holi).

The tradition of sprinkling colors and vermilion on each other and visiting each other's homes for meals has made Holi a peak festival. The last day of the month of Chaitra (Chaitra Masanta) and the following day, Baisakh Sankranti (the first day of the New Year, Baisakh 1), are celebrated as the Satuwain festival. This festival serves as the background for the Siruwa festival. In Satuwain, there is a tradition of eating and donating Sattu (roasted flour) made by mixing chickpeas, wheat, corn, soybeans, and barley.

Thus, the annual and monthly sequence of festivals in Mithila culture is a cycle. In terms of the calendar, it starts from the first month of the year, Chaitra-Baisakh, and ends with the cycle of festivals falling in Phagun towards the end of the year. The meaning of the proverb 'Phagua Usare, Siruwa Pasare' is to bind all these festivals of the year into one thread. This proverb begins to be used as soon as Chaitra starts and continues to be used in conversation in some form until Baisakh 1.

The proverb 'Je Jive Se Khele Phag' from the Holi (Phagu) festival is very popular, which means 'Only those who are alive play Holi.' This proverb provides energy to life and adds an enthusiasm that transforms life into a celebration.

Proverb-like phrases are also found in the traditional songs of Sama Chakewa. For example: 'Bhaiya Kothi Chaur, Chugla Kothi Chhaur.' This reflects the hatred towards social malice or backbiters and the affection towards brothers.

Jitiya (Jivitputrika) festival is a major festival for Tharu and Maithil women. This festival, celebrated by mothers for the longevity and health of their children, is a very difficult three-day fast. One must not even drink water, meaning it must be a Nirjala (waterless) fast. Primarily celebrated on the day of Asoj Krishna Ashtami, on this occasion, the devotees bathe in rivers, ponds, or reservoirs and worship Lord Jitwahan.

During this festival, a traditional proverb like 'Jitiya Pavain Bad Bhari, Dhiyaputake Thoki Suthaulni, Apna Khaelni Bhari Thari...' is very popular. 'Jitiya Pavain Bad Bhari' means the Jitiya festival is a very difficult Nirjala fast, hence it is called heavy (difficult). 'Dhiyaputake Thoki Suthaulni' means she patted her children to sleep early, and 'Apna Khaelni Bhari Thari' means she then ate a full plate of food herself. This sounds like satire, but it contains guidance. It gives the message that children should be fed and put to sleep early, and then one should eat to their heart's content. The reason for eating so much is the resolve for that three-day Nirjala fast.

'Maduwak Roti Pothiya Mach', 'May Kharjitiya Kene Chhalih' are also very popular Maithili proverbs. 'Maduwa' is millet. Although millet is a very healthy and ancient staple food, other grains gradually took its place. However, such ancient and nutritious food items are still preserved in our festivals. Similarly, 'Pothiya Mach' (Pothi fish) is a protein-rich, nutritious aquatic animal easily found in ponds or riverbanks. Thus, these proverbs have traditionally given the message that before fasting for the Jitiya festival, devotees should eat nutritious food like millet bread and Pothi fish.

There are two types of Jitiya festivals: the first is General Jitiya and the second is Kharjitiya. In General Jitiya, one must not eat or drink for 24 hours, and the situation where the fast duration extends due to the variation in dates is called 'Kharjitiya'. There is a folk belief that through the strength of a mother's severe penance and sacrifice, the crisis over her children is averted. If someone survives a major crisis, the saying 'Her mother must have performed Kharjitiya' immediately comes up. This is the specialty of the proverb.