Orchids are known for their beauty, displayed in homes around the world. In Assam, this appreciation of orchids stems back centuries and is deeply integrated in their culture.
The foxtail orchid, Rhynchostylis retusa, plays a special role in Assamese culture, which is helping to shape conservation efforts in the Indian state of Assam.
Rhynchostylis retusa
Photo credit: Andri Suprihardi
India is home to over 1,300 species of orchids. The Northeast of the country, Assam State, is an orchid hotspot, hosting 72% of India's total orchid diversity.
It is unsurprising then that orchids are an integral part of Assamese culture. In particular, Rynchostylis retusa, locally known as 'kopou phool', is a symbol of love, fertility, merriment and affection. It plays a notable role during Assam's biggest festival, Bohag Bihu. A celebration of the Assamese New Year, Bohag Bihu is celebrated over 7 days in mid-April. It marks the spring season and harvest, and includes many seasonal recipes that feature the newly harvested rice.
Kopou phool orchids feature in seasonal songs, art and greetings and poetry. Parismita Singh, a graphic novelist and orchid enthusiast, describes this orchid as "a beloved symbol of youthful love with all its yearning and madness and hopefulness, is almost synonymous with spring." She refers us to the Assamese and Mising poem:
Oh my pretty orchid blossom
Come let's bloom and sway together
on the takkir branch
-Jiban Narah, translated by Moushumi Kandali (more here)
Rhynchostylis flowers also decorate the hair of Bihu dancers, whose erotic dance moves mark season celebrations. The Bihu dance, which is recognised for its sensual nature, celebrates the fertility of both humans and nature.
Such is the important of this orchid that Rhychostylis retusae was designated the State Flower of Assam in 2003.
Bihu dancers, featuring Rhynchostylis flowers decorating their hair.
Photo credit: Ranju Neog
Despite the diversity and importance of orchids to Assam, populations of Kopou phool are, like many other orchid species, declining due to deforestation, soil erosion, over grazing and illegal trade.
Orchid expert, Khyanjeet Gogoi, explained in an interview with The Indian Express that, while India's Wildlife Protection Act states that no one can trade anything found in the forests, no one pays much attention when it comes to orchids. He suggests that orchid conservation needs stronger policies in place.
This is the key mission of the newly-formed Orchid Society of Assam. Ankur Gogoi, an orchid enthusiast and musician in a Bihu band, started networking with other orchid enthusiasts online and, by 2017, had connected with enthusiasts across Assam including students, teachers, farmers and businessmen who were keen to learn more about these exquisite flowers. Ankur is active in the new Society, whose aim is to conserve orchid species within the state, including by creating conservation awareness, setting up a tissue culture laboratory for orchid propagation to reduce pressure on wild populations, and conducting orchid surveys of their protected areas.
The Society marked this year's Bohag Bihu by celebrating the kopou phool orchid, and raising awareness about orchid conservation and the threats of illegal trade in exotic plants. They established a national online photography competition (the planned orchid conservation festival was postponed due to COVID_19).
We are increasingly recognising the important links between culture and orchid trade and orchid conservation around the world. There is growing need for groups like the Orchid Society of Assam to help make these links, and activate not only enthusiastic individuals but government agencies for orchid conservation.
By Rhian Bland & Jacob Phelps.