Bihar, one of India’s oldest inhabited regions, has long been a cradle of culture, tradition, and history. Yet, many of its traditional customs and rituals are fading fast in the face of modernization and urban migration. Below are five authentic and once-vibrant Bihar cultural practices that are about to extinct, documented with precision and supported by historical context.
1. Sikki Grass Craft of Bihar – A Vanishing Handicraft Tradition
The art of Sikki grass weaving is one of Bihar’s most unique handicrafts, originating from the Mithila region. Artisans, traditionally women, use the golden-hued sikki grass to make decorative items like baskets, dolls, and wall art. These items hold religious and domestic significance and are often gifted during weddings.
However, this traditional Bihar craft is nearing extinction due to the declining availability of raw materials, lack of commercial viability, and minimal government support. With the younger generation shifting to urban jobs, very few carry forward this eco-friendly art form.
2. Paag – The Symbolic Headgear of Mithila Culture Losing Relevance
The Paag, a ceremonial headgear worn by Maithil men, is an emblem of honor, dignity, and cultural identity. It was traditionally worn during important ceremonies such as weddings, community gatherings, and festivals like Sama-Chakeva.
In today’s rapidly globalizing Bihar, the practice of wearing the Paag has drastically declined. Urban youth, disconnected from rural traditions, rarely wear or understand its significance. Efforts like the “Paag Bachau Abhiyan” have emerged, but this symbolic element of Mithila culture remains endangered.
3. Launda Naach – A Gendered Folk Dance on the Brink of Disappearance
Launda Naach is a traditional folk dance form of Bihar, where men dress as women and perform expressive, often satirical dance-drama sequences during weddings and festivals. This art form, deeply rooted in Bhojpuri-speaking regions, combines music, storytelling, and humor.
With rising social stigmas, the influence of Bollywood-style entertainment, and changing notions of gender roles, Launda Naach is losing its place in Bihar’s social celebrations. Many artists have either quit or shifted to alternate professions due to lack of patronage and growing societal disapproval.
4. Bhojpuri Nautanki – Dying Theatrical Heritage of Rural Bihar
Before television and cinema, Bhojpuri Nautanki was a popular form of street theatre in Bihar, known for its loud, musical dramatizations of folklore, mythological tales, and social issues. It was a form of mass communication and entertainment in villages.
Today, Nautanki troupes are hard to find. Declining audience interest, inadequate funding, and competition from digital media have made it almost obsolete. As older performers pass away and younger artists migrate or find mainstream work, this traditional theatre form of Bihar is at risk of extinction.
5. Jhijhiya Dance Ritual – Declining Festival Performance of Mithilanchal
The Jhijhiya dance, once a prominent feature of Dussehra celebrations in north Bihar, particularly in Mithilanchal, involves women dancing with earthen pots perforated with designs and a lamp inside. It is performed to ward off evil spirits and invoke divine blessings.
Rapid urbanization and fading religious beliefs among the youth have led to a steep decline in this custom. With few communities still observing it, the Jhijhiya ritual is among the endangered cultural traditions of Bihar.
These top 5 Bihar cultural practices that are about to extinct reflect not only artistic and ritualistic traditions but also the social fabric of a rich civilization. Without conscious revival initiatives, proper documentation, and state-level cultural investment, these traditions may soon become mere textbook entries.