Xaak Queen – Arpana Borah & Her 101 Greens

This Rongali Bihu, social activist Arpana Borah has kept a tradition alive by delivering 101 varieties of xaak (leafy greens) to thousands of Assamese households.

Bihu—the Assamese festival that dances to the beat of joy, music, and, of course, the beloved xaak. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, let me explain: “xaak” refers to a delightful medley of leafy greens and herbs, a cherished part of the Rongali Bihu celebrations in Assam. Traditionally, Assamese families would celebrate by feasting on 101 different varieties of xaak, plucked from their own gardens or the forests nearby. The sheer variety of greens is enough to make anyone wonder if the world of leafy vegetables is as vast as the Bihu spirit itself. But let’s face it—urbanisation and shrinking green spaces have made this once-simple task a bit of a challenge.

Enter Arpana Borah, a social activist and farming enthusiast from Japihojia Gaon near Bokel in Dibrugarh. Borah, realising that the younger generation might be missing out on the full flavour of this tradition, has taken it upon herself to bridge the gap between the modern world and the old ways. You see, not everyone has the time or space to wander through forests or maintain large gardens full of a hundred varieties of xaak. But fear not—Arpana and her team have found a way to make sure the full set of greens is delivered right to your doorstep.

This Rongali Bihu, Borah and her dedicated crew reached over 3,000 households across Assam and beyond, providing neatly packaged packets of all 101 varieties of xaak for just Rs 150 a pop. Talk about a leafy green bargain! And while many might think that’s just a local phenomenon, the greens were shipped to cities like Guwahati, Jorhat, Kolkata, and even Lakhimpur. One might say Borah has effectively become the “Xaak Queen” of Assam, ensuring that the taste of tradition is accessible to all.

But of course, sourcing 101 different varieties of leafy greens isn’t exactly a walk in the park—or a stroll through the nearest Tesco, for that matter. Some of these greens come from Borah’s own Bandhoi Krishi Farm, but others are foraged from wild forests in areas like Kakopathar and Dirak, located on the Assam-Arunachal border. “Not all xaak can be grown in a single garden. We had to rely on forests and farms across the region,” she explained. Well, if that doesn’t sound like the ultimate in farm-to-table freshness, I don’t know what does.

What started as a simple family tradition has now blossomed into a full-fledged community movement. It’s the fourth consecutive year of this initiative, and it’s clear that Arpana Borah is not only preserving cultural heritage but also promoting the health benefits of these medicinal herbs. After all, many of the greens in these packets aren’t just tasty; they’re packed with healing properties. In fact, Arpana, who also works as an AIR production assistant and leads the anti-witch hunting NGO Alok Abhijan, is actively researching indigenous medicinal plants to further promote the wellness benefits of these greens.

Borah’s initiative is supported by a passionate team of local heroes, including Dayananda Baruah, Rahul Karmakar, Abhisikha Dey, Mamta Dorjee, Ritu Handique, and Suman Kalyan Baruah. Together, they’re ensuring that Bihu traditions aren’t lost in the rush of modern life. In a world where we’re increasingly relying on fast food and convenience, it’s refreshing to see a movement that promotes both culture and wellness.

So this Rongali Bihu, while you’re tucking into your packet of xaak, remember: tradition can thrive, even in an era of high-rise buildings and online shopping. Thanks to Arpana Borah and her team, the 101 varieties of leafy greens are alive and well—preserved, packaged, and delivered with a generous helping of love for both culture and community. It’s safe to say that Bihu’s leafy greens have found their new home, one packet at a time.

As they say in Assam, “Xaak toh thik, Bihu toh dhik!” (The greens are just right, and the Bihu spirit is in full swing!)

See Also

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Now for the real names in Assamese.

ব’হাগ বিহুত খোৱা এশ এবিধ শাকৰ নাম

১) জাতিলাও
২) ৰঙালাও
৩) কোমোৰা
৪) ঢেঁকীয়া
৫) চেংমৰা
৬) মাটিকাদুৰী
৭) ভাত মেটেকা
৮) বৰপূৰৈ
৯) লচকচি
১০) মৰাণ আদা
১১) কণা শিমলু
১২) চাঙেৰি টেঙা
১৩) মধুসোলেং
১৪) লৰবৰুৱা
১৫) ঠুটনি বন
১৬) হেলচি শাক
১৭) মৰিচা
১৮) কলমৌ
১৯) মেচাকি
২০) নলচুপহি
২১) মেজেঙা
২২) কচলু
২৩) বাবৰি
২৪) বালি বাবৰি
২৫) লফা
২৬) চুতিয়া লফা
২৭) চৈ
২৮) পালেং
২৯) লাই
৩০) মেমেধু
৩১) বেঙেনা
৩২) কটাৰি ডবুৱা মাহ
৩৩) ঢলা পালেং
৩৪) খুতুৰা
৩৫) মাটিমাহ
৩৬) কেৰেলা
৩৭) জালুক
৩৮) জিকা
৩৯) তিতা কেৰেলা
৪০) ধুন্দুলি
৪১) ভোল
৪২) বিলাহী
৪৩) ভাত কেৰেলা
৪৪) কলীয়া কচু
৪৫) এডলীয়া কচু
৪৬) তিল
৪৭) ববচা
৪৮) নীলকন্ঠ
৪৯) কাৰ্শলা বন
৫০) দীঘলতি
৫১) লেহেতি
৫২) বনমৰা
৫৩) দূবৰি
৫৪) তুলসী
৫৫) বৰ মানিমুনি
৫৬) সৰু মানিমুনি
৫৭) কুকুৰ সূতা
৫৮) শেলুক
৫৯) তেঁতেলী
৬০) ভেদাই লতা
৬১) মালভোগ
৬২) পনৌনৱা
৬৩) তিতাবাহেক
৬৪) টংলতি
৬৫) টিকনী বৰুৱা
৬৬) কেকৈ টেঙা
৬৭) জিলিমিলি
৬৮) থেৰেজু
৬৯) টুবুকী লতা
৭০) হেটভেলা
৭১) গাজবিৰিণা
৭২) বৰ্হমথুৰি
৭৩) কেহেৰাজ
৭৪) কেহেৰু
৭৫) জেটুলি পকা
৭৬) মাদুৰি বন
৭৭) বৰ থেকেৰা
৭৮) মহানিম
৭৯) নহৰু
৮০) বন জালুক
৮১) বেতগাজ
৮২) হাতীভেকুৰি
৮৩) কঠনা
৮৪) ওলকচু
৮৫) তিতাফুল
৮৬) লাইজাবৰি
৮৭) বকুল
৮৮) ঔটেঙা
৮৯) পুৰৈ
৯০) মচন্দৰি
৯১) দোৰোণ
৯২) কাঠ আলু
৯৩) লং
৯৪) গুৱামালি
৯৫) হাঁচিয়তী
৯৬) পাতিসোন্দা
৯৭) ভীমৰাজ বন
৯৮) শুকলতি
৯৯) তিতামৰা
১০০) টেঙেচি