Context:
With the south-west monsoon gradually setting in, nouka baich boat races will soon begin in several rural pockets of West Bengal.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
About Nouka Baich Boat Race
- Overview:
- Nouka Baich is a traditional boat race celebrated in West Bengal, India.
- Timing:
- The races take place during September in riverine Bengal, coinciding with swollen river waters in the final weeks of the monsoon season.
- Some races extend into October and occasionally November in certain locations.
- Gender Participation:
- Historically dominated by men, recent years have seen increasing participation of women in these boat races.
- Cultural Significance:
- These boat races are closely associated with the worship of Manasa, the Hindu goddess of snakes.
- Manasa is a prominent local deity worshipped primarily by agrarian communities in rural south Bengal.
- Types of Boats:
- The races feature four to five different types of traditional boats.
- Commonly used boats include Chhip, Kaile Bachhhari, Chande Bachhari, Chitoi, and Sorpi.
- A notable boat type, the Sorengi, approximately 90 feet in length, is also seen in these races, designed to mimic natural elements.
-Source: Indian Express
