https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=GamosaGamosa - Revision history2026-07-30T21:12:20ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Gamosa&diff=329327&oldid=prevUpdateBot at 09:14, 4 February 20222022-02-04T09:14:47Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Woven rectangular textile of Assam, India, used for various purposes}}<br />
{{distinguish|Gamucha}}<br />
[[Image:gamosa.jpg|thumb|350px|A Gamusa made from [[Assam silk|Pat silk]] with intricate designs.]]<br />
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The '''Gamosa''' or Gamusa is 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 [[Assam silk#Pat silk|Pat silk]].<br />
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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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Assamese Gamusa makes it to the Guinness Book of World Records|url=http://thenortheasttoday.com/assamese-gamusa-made-it-to-the-guinness-book-of-world-records/|access-date=31 August 2016|author=Assam Portal|agency=the northeast today}}</ref><br />
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==Origin of the name==<br />
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.<ref name="assaminfo">{{cite web | url=http://www.assaminfo.com/culture/1/gamocha.htm | title=Gamocha | publisher=assaminfo.com | access-date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> The word gamosa is derived from the Kamrupi word gamsaw, the cloth used to cover<br />
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.<br />
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==Usage==<br />
[[Image:Bihu dancer with a horn.jpg|thumb|[[Bihu dance]]r wearing a Gamosa around the head]]<br />
Though it may be used daily to wipe the body after a bath (an act of purification), the use is not restricted to this.<br />
*It is used to cover the altar at the prayer hall or cover the scriptures. An object of [[reverence (attitude)|reverence]] is never placed on the bare ground, but always on a ''gamusa''.<br />
*It is used by the farmer, fishermen or hunter as a waistcloth (''tongali'') or a loincloth (''suriya'') or Gamsa; a [[Bihu dance]]r wraps it around the head with a fluffy knot (see picture).<br />
*It is hung around the neck at the prayer hall (''naamghar'') and was thrown over the shoulder in the past to signify social status.<br />
*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]].<ref name="assaminfo"/><br />
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One can therefore, very well say, that the ''gamusa'' symbolizes the indigenous life and culture of Assam.<br />
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==Cultural significance==<br />
Significantly the ''gamusa'' is used equally by all irrespective of religious and ethnic backgrounds.<br />
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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.<br />
[[Image:gamosa pari.jpg|thumb|A Gamusa border with a traditional handwoven motif called ''goxa'']]<br />
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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.<br />
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In November 2019, the Gamusa published in Geographical indication journal but didn't receive the [[Geographical Indication]] tag till now.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mitra|first=Naresh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/assams-gamosa-chokuwa-rice-earn-gi-tags/articleshow/72115558.cms|title=Assam's Gamosa, Chokuwa rice earn GI tags}}</ref>[[File:Assamese Gamosa Hanging on Tree.jpg|thumb|Gamosas hanging on a tree]]<br />
[[File:তাঁতশালত এগৰাকী গাভৰু বোৱনী.JPG|thumb|A woman seen traditionally weaving a Gamosa]]<br />
[[File:Jaapi with Gamosa.jpg|thumb|[[Jaapi]] with Gamosa]]<br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[Jaapi]]<br />
*[[Mekhela chador]]<br />
*[[Textiles and dresses of Assam]]<br />
*[[Xorai]]<br />
*[[Namghar]]<br />
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==Notes and references==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
{{Commons category}}<br />
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{{Clothing in South Asia}}<br />
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[[Category:Culture of Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Textiles and clothing of Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Scarves]]<br />
[[Category:Indian clothing]]<br />
[[Category:Indian culture]]<br />
[[Category:Geographical indications in Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Geographical indications in India]]<br />
[[Category:Festivals in Assam]]</div>UpdateBot