Goalpara: The Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) has shot a documentary film on the prime religious festival of the Rabhas - Baykho.

"We have completed a documentary film on Baykho puja, our main religious festival. The film describes how and why the festival is celebrated," said executive member of the council's cultural department, Jivan Rabha.

Jivan said this at the 41st art and cultural anniversary of the Rabhas - Baida Krishti Sanmiloni - which concluded on Saturday at Fedardoa village, 2km from the Assam-Meghalaya border of Goalpara district.

He also said Fedardoa is a holy place for the Rabhas as the tradition of worshipping goddess Baykho began from the village.

Jivan also emphasised the conservation of the tradition, uplift of the people and to make the glorious history of the Rabha people public.

"A race that forgets it birthplace, history and culture, ends up becoming a parasite, losing its own identity," said Bipin Churchung, another speaker.

Santaram Rabha, a lecturer of Baida Junior College, vehemently opposed the conversion of some Rabhas into other castes and termed this activity as "anti-Rabha".

Dance customs like daowa and humjar and their significance were explained in the convention by Pratap Rabha, a cultural activist from Meghalaya.

The programme was inaugurated by social worker Dhrubo Narayan Rabha and ended by highlighting the achievements of the current Rabha icons like Birubala Rabha, Pabitra Rabha and Sukracharya Rabha.