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, 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 yarn is the most common material for making/weaving gamosas, there are special occasion ones made from Pat silk.
A Gamusa made from Pat silk with intricate designs.
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.[1]
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.[2] 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.
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 dancer 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) and elders are offered gamusas (referred to as bihuwaan in this case) during Bihu.[2]
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.
A Gamusa border with a traditional handwoven motif called goxa
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.
^Assam Portal. "Assamese Gamusa makes it to the Guinness Book of World Records". the northeast today. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
^ ab"Gamocha". assaminfo.com. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
^PTI (14 December 2022). "Assamese 'Gamocha' gets GI tag; state in jubilation". indianexpress. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
^Sentinel Digital Desk (15 December 2022). "Assamese Gamocha gets Geographical Indication Tag". Sentinel Assam. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gamosa.
January 06, 2023
gamosa, confused, with, gamucha, gamusa, from, assamese, mosa, body, wipes, towel, article, significance, indigenous, people, assam, india, generally, white, rectangular, piece, cloth, with, primarily, border, three, sides, woven, motifs, fourth, addition, oth. Not to be confused with Gamucha The Gamosa or Gamusa is from Assamese গ ga and ম চ mosa Body wipes or Towel an article of significance for the indigenous people of Assam 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 yarn is the most common material for making weaving gamosas there are special occasion ones made from Pat silk A Gamusa made from Pat silk with intricate designs 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 1 Contents 1 Origin of the name 2 Usage 3 Cultural significance 4 See also 5 Notes and references 6 External linksOrigin of the name EditLiterally translated it means something to wipe the body with Ga body musa to wipe however interpreting the word gamosa as the towel is misleading 2 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 Edit Bihu dancer wearing a Gamosa around the head 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 dancer 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 and elders are offered gamusas referred to as bihuwaan in this case during Bihu 2 One can therefore very well say that the gamusa symbolizes the indigenous life and culture of Assam Cultural significance EditSignificantly 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 A Gamusa border with a traditional handwoven motif called goxa 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 tag 3 4 Gamosas hanging on a tree A woman seen traditionally weaving a Gamosa Jaapi with GamosaSee also EditJaapi Mekhela chador Textiles and dresses of Assam Xorai NamgharNotes and references Edit Assam Portal Assamese Gamusa makes it to the Guinness Book of World Records the northeast today Retrieved 31 August 2016 a b Gamocha assaminfo com Retrieved April 3 2013 PTI 14 December 2022 Assamese Gamocha gets GI tag state in jubilation indianexpress Retrieved 15 December 2022 Sentinel Digital Desk 15 December 2022 Assamese Gamocha gets Geographical Indication Tag Sentinel Assam Retrieved 15 December 2022 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gamosa Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gamosa amp oldid 1127553347, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
