Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Through Ages: Assam is the anglicized from of the Assamese word Asom which
the phenotic variation of the word Asom, a Tai mongoloid race ruling over most of
present Assam valley for almost 600 year till the advent of British is 1826.1
The modern name of the state Assam is of recent origin. The state was named
different in various periods of history in earliest times the area was known as
Pragjytishpura which means the city of eastern light. It was so named because
this land in ancient times. According to Dr. Prabal Sharma: Assam had a
above mention name is found in the great epics the Ramayana the Mahabharata
and the puaranas too. In the medieval period Assam was known as Kamrupa. In
epigraphic records the name Kamrupa was first mentioned in the Allahabad
All that we can say with certainty is that from about 200 B.C. there was a
from the banks of Hwang-ho and the Yang-Tse-Kiang in China to India through
1
Assan through ages: Parag Chalia, pg. 13.
2
History of Assamese literature: B.K. Barua, pg.1.
1
Assam and these Mongolioan people along with others who migrated from
northern Burma formed the bulk of the population of Assam. In ancient Sanskrit
texts of the Aryans such as the two great epics the Mahabharata and the Ramayana
and in the Puranas, the inhabitants of Assam are referred to as Miecches, Kiratas
Another very significant feature which distinguishes Assam from the rest of India
Assam the very mention of this word brings to ones mind the delightful blend of
culture, heritage, faiths and beliefs of the innumerous ethnic tribes and sub-tribes
residing in this region. The culture and tradition of the state, its music, dance and
literature are all interwoven into the social fabric and cross all barriers of caste,
creed and religion. In fact, a mention of the rich tradition of the state without
referring to the diverse lifestyle, arts, crafts, fair and festivals of the people
Assam has the largest number of tribes or races in the whole of India. The main
communities of the region include the Aryans i.e. and non-Aryan Mongoloids and
Indo-Iranians. A part from that Bodo (or Kachari), Karbi, Misings, Tiwas, Rabhas,
Deori, Hazong and other tribes have been infused in the rich cultural tapestry of
2
Assam. All these ethnic tribes have their own distinct pattern of dressings,
language, festivals, tradition and heritage. In spite of such variations the people
here live in perfect peace and harmony, a unique trait seen only in this part of the
world. The diversified culture of Assam can also be attributed to the influence of
the different dynasties and empires that resided in the region in different dynasties
and empires that resided in the region in different eras. Around 45 different
the principal language of the state is Assamese, regarded as the lingua franca of
the entire northeast India. The major festival in Assam is Bihu which is celebrated
by all irrespective of their caste and creed. Some other festivals celebrated with
prompt and grandeur within the state are the Baikhu and Pharkantis of the Rabhas,
Ali Ai ligang by the Mising races have made Assam the home to the most
colourful festivals at once blazing, compelling and measmerizing the varied faith
Kalipuja, Shivaratri are some of the major festivals celebrated by the Hindus of
from a number of distinct castes. In Assam, the caste system, although it exists, is
3
From time immemorial the people of Assam have traditionally been craftsmen.
Artists, sculptuors, Masons, Artisans of ivory, wood, bamboo, cane and hide have
Weaving is one traditional craft that every Assamese woman takes pride in. The
Assamese women produces silk and cotton clothes of exquisite designs in their
looms. Assam is renowned for its exquisite silks namely Eri, Pat and the world
The Gamosa is one of the most easily recognizable cultural symbol of the
Assamese people besides the tamol pan (areca nut and betel leaf) which is an
The gamocha, a white rectangular pie of cotton hand woven cloth with primarily a
red border on two sides and red woven motifs on the other two sides (in some case
red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth side) is put to many
around the head in a knot, it is also hung around the neck at the prayer hall and
thrown over the shoulder to signify status or respect, gamochas also known as
ethnic backgrounds.
4
Assam is a multiethnic society with diversified culture. Forty five different
Cane -and bamboo have remained inseparable parts of life in Assam. The Jaapi
the state. Metal crafts like Bell metal and brass have been the most commonly
used metal of Assamese artisans. The Xorai and bota have been in use for
centuries to offer beterl nut and paan to welcome guests. Gold, silver and copper
too from a part of traditional metal craft in Assam as far as handlooms are
concerned. It has been mentioned earlier that Assam is the home for several types
of silk, the most prominent and prestigious being Muga, the golden silk exclusive
only to this state. The woman of Assam weave fairy tales in looms. All the ethnic
groups staying in Assam has their own distinctive embroidery to represent their
particular culture. Assam is very rich in wood craft also. The various articles in a
satra and namghar (place of worship) are stiff cut on wood depicting the guru as
asana (pedestal of the lords), apart from various kind of birds and animals figuring
including figures of one horned rhino and replicas of the world famous Kamakhya
temple, two items heading the list of demands of a visitor from outside.
Traditional masks have been widely used in folk theatres and bhaonas made with
materials ranging from terracotta to pith to metal, bamboo and wood. Even in the
5
tribals too, varied colourful masks are used. Assamese traditional jewelry include
the doog-doogi, loka paro, bana, gam-kharu, gal-pata, jon-biri, dhol- biri and keru.
The Kumara and the Hiras are the two traditional potter communities of Assam.
While the Kumars use the wheel to produce their pots, the Hiras are probably the
only potters in the world who do not use wheel at all. Also among the Hiras, only
the women folk are engaged in pottery work while their men help them in
procuring the raw materials and selling the wares. The most commonly used
pottery products include earthen pots and pitchers plates, incense stick holders and
earthen lamps.
The people of Assam are very fond of sculpture and various arts form like
graphics, applied art Patuas and Chitrakars thrive in this region and produces
Hastividyarnava, the Chitra Bhagawata and Gita Govinda. Local painter used local
paints like hangool and haital. The themes and designings of the famous work of
paintings.
The cuisine of Assam is oriented to typical East Indian style. Various local styles
and external influences have contributed in the food preparation. The people
devote less time for food preparation. The people devote less time for food
preparation. Foods are quite healthy. The preparation are less spicy but has strong
aroma due to ample use of fruit and vegetables. Khar is the starter and people
6
ends up with the consumption of tenga. The betel leaves and paan are the last
Rice is the staple food of Assamese. The people consume various preparations of
rice like roasted and grounded rice called Xandoh, boiled husk chira, kamul
Saul. For the breakfast, Assamese use chira with jiggery and Yoghurt. Xandosh
Kamal saul is consumed as snacks. Pithas, as sweet dish is also made of rice and
are used as delicacy for special festival like Bihu. Fish stands next to rice as per its
consumption rate. The people love fishes like rohu, illish, chital. Fish is in
dispensable in the tribal meals. To the Assamese the Tenga is the hot favourite
dish prepared from fish. Green leafy vegetable called Xaak is widely eaten by the
Various pickles and side dishes called pitikas are immensely popular in Assam.
The most popular is the aloo pitika (mashed potatoes). It is teamed up with raw
onions, mustard oil, green chilies and boiled eggs. Soured vegetables called
Assamese people are very hospitable, loving and revered their ancestors, they
show reverence towards betel leaves, symbolic clothes like Gamosa and traditional
silk.
7
Assam can thus be considered to be an epitome of scenic beauty mixed with robust
Assam can be termed as the mixmg pot where culture, heritage, tradition, lifestyle,
faith and belief of her Aryan and Non-Aryan, numerous tribes and sub-tribes,
Mongoloids and Australilans drawn from various hives at different points of time
have gone into form the Assamese culture-a fascinating and exotic recipe of
multicoloured yarns of distinguished heritage of all the races that populate her.
Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam
have their roots in the diverse faith and beliefs of her inhabitants but a spirit of
fusion of heritage of Assams numerous races has made Assam the home of the
reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestyle of the people of Assam.
Assamese traditional regional music is replete with the tunes preserved in the
valleys of Assam. The general musical forms are consistent with the traits of the
8
north-eastern part of the sub-continent.3 As earlier mentioned due to
branches of people who came to settle here and have made a lot of contributions to
A wide variety of racial cells originating from different tribes spread out in the
valley. Assamese borrowed freely and immensely from the people of the who
were immigrants in the long part. The Ahom rulers, originally belonging to Shan
family of Burma, who conquered Assam, were small in number. They were
receptive and accepted Vaishnavism. The general language of the people was a
There has been a strong tradition of music in Assam (or ancient Kamrupa) from
the earliest times , when the great Chinese traveller, Hsuan Tsang, visited the
Siva, and this was properly endowed with danseuses. In the copper plate
inscriptions of this king, the boats in the waves of the Lauhitya or Brahmaputra are
3
Music of Eastern India: Sukumar Roy; pg. 153.
9
During the reign of King Bhaskaravarman, a maid -in-waiting, who was adept in
dancing and music, died on the funeral pyre of Bhaskaravarman, a great lover of
exhibiting tandava.
In the tantric text, Kalika Purana, written in Kamrupa in the 11th or 12th century
there are several references to vocal and instrumental music in connection with
different rituals.
singers, called sutas, who sang the glory of monarchs royal father Dharalaghosa.4
The music of Assam or for that matter any state be categorized into:-
i) Classical Music
The raga music of Assam is very old which is passed teacher to disciple in the
The charayas written in north eastern India from the 18th to the 11th century A.D.
4
Information from the book: ASSAM:-S. Barkataki
5
Music culture of North East India: Dr. prabal Sharma, pg. 67.
10
Aru, Gunjari, Devakiri, Deshka, Bhairavi, Kamoda, Dhamasi, Ramarkiri, Varadi,
Baladd, Sabari, Mallari, Malan, Malrai-Gavada, Kaknu Gunjari and Vangala. The
84 tantric Buddhist Siddhas exterted immense influence over the whole of the
eastern region of India, and their sons mut have carried the rhythm of raga music
Among the different forms of Vaishanvas music of Assam the three forms that has
iii) Oja-pali
The Great Vaishanvas leader Shankaradeva and his disciple Madhaveda were the
creator of Bargia. In total there are hundred and ninety one bargits and all are set
to rangas. Songs which are composed by poets and saints other than Shankardeva
and Madavadeva, even if they were in the same raga and talas and contain the
same thoughts and sentiments and written in the same lanauge are not termed as
Boregeets. At different point of time the borgeets are referred as Boble numbers
Each of the Bargits is timed to a particular raga, which is indicated at the top. Taal
is not generally mentioned; and much stress has been laid on this matter by the
11
master musicians or the traditional musicians of the satras. A particular Bargita
can be sung in any tala, the Asowari raga is commonly set tu yati tata, Kalyana
sung on special occasions like Doul festival, anniversaries of the two gurus and
other festivals. The Ankiya geets are performed with Anikya nats. Ankiya means
one act and geet means songs. In Ankiya nat, performance begins in the morning
with singing and dancing to the music of drums, the entourage emerging from the
OJA PALI
chorus singers and dancers, it is performed only by men and combines narrative
Palis, hence the name Oja-Pali. Oja-Pali is a classical form representing the rich
tradition and cultural heritage of the state. The dancers sing and play small
cymbals, relating stories from the Epics and the Puranas. The Ojapali songs are
basically in the Sanskrits language and are of two types (i) Malanci Geet (ii) Jagar.
This traditional art form is seen in lower Assam, in the districts of Darrang,
12
Nalbari, Kamrup etc. As there are five members in an Ojapali group, it is also
called Panchali. Some people believe that Panchal (Kanuj) is the home of the
Panchali art from. It is a group of chorus singers and dancers. It consists of gita
a classical art form. Music is an integral part of Oja-Pali art form, although the
words of the songs and verses (i.e. padas) tell the story.
Folk songs in all its variety and richness account for Assams distinctive position
in this field. Assam the north eastern state of India is inhabited by different groups
of people who came and settled in that part at different periods. These people
composite culture through synthesis and assimilation. Moreover each group has
still retained some distinctive characteristics in the cultural domain of their own.
The region of Assam is a rich confluence of varieties of tradition and culture. Folk
songs are in important aspect of culture. Assamese folk songs are extremely rich
and variegated. Diverse racial and ethnic groups of people used to live in Assam
They have contributed a lot to enrich the Assamese culture in various ways.
Despite it, they have also retained their distinctive identity in the fields of oral
13
literature, art and culture and more particularly in the fields of folk song and
music. Songs and dances go hand in hand virtually with all facets of the daily life
of the Assamese people viz, boating, fishing, bathing, spinning weaving, wedding
etc.
A lot of collection work has been done particularly in the field of the Assamese
folk song material, but not much analysis on scientific lines has been attempted
except by few researchers and scholars. Scientific analysis of the folk songs of
some of the tribes like Hazongs remained almost untouched. The folk songs of
Assam are the richest in volume, range and variety in respect of text, content or
texture, but the songs of the tribal languages have not been systematically
collected, much less classified and nalayzed properly. Any discussion of study on
analysis of the ethnic and cultural amalgamation that have been taking place in the
region through the ages. There were quite a few indigenous communities in the
Brahmputra valley. The coming of the Ahom in the early thirteenth century laid
tremendous impact not only in the political history of Assam but also in the socio
scientific lines examining the basic notes and rhytm associated with the folk songs
of Assam. I have also tried to list different musical instruments used with
14
particular types of folk song and their role in the folk songs along with some of the
ETHNIC GROUPS
Among all the ceremonial songs, Bihu stands at the pinnacle bearing the most
tremendous amount of reel and enthusiasm. The festival brings together all the
Assamese people, irrespective of their caste, creed and religious beliefs. Some of
the Bihu festivals of the tribes celebrated on the same lines of their Hindu counter
parts are as follows, Ali-Ai- Ligang of the Misings, Bihu of the Deoris, Moran
Bihu of the Moran tribes, Bwisagu of the Boros, Domahi of the Karbis etc.
Assamese folk songs originated from the tribal culture of the state. Having a
Hindus, tribes or any other religion or caste) collectively expresses the inherit
indigenous Tibeto- Burmen tribal groups make up another 16 percent of the total
(estimate). The state has the largest number of tribes within their variety in
traditional folk music, dresses, culture and exotic way of life. Tribes have their
15
own distinctive folk songs and some of their traditions are so unique and lively
that these course wonders to others. A majority of the Assamese is the follower of
Assamese Hindus. The Vaishnavas do not believe in idol worshiping and perform
Namkirtana where the glory of lord Vishnu is recited. The Assamese Hindus have
their own distinctive set of folk songs and festivals like theBihugeet,
Binyaminaam e.t.c. celebrated with enthusiasm and in tune with all other ethnic
categorizedaccording to regions. They are called Regional folk song. These folk
songs do not represent a particular tribe or caste but represent all the people
lifesongs are Goalporia lokageet and Kamrupi lokageet. The study consists of folk
songs of both tribal and non-tribal ceremonial folk songs. The folk songs of Assam
The folk songs of Assam belong to the whole community and are an expression of
the creative interface between reality and the imaginative life. They reveal not
only the individual talents of the people, but the collective traditions from which
Bifurcation of the ceremonial folk songs:- The music of Assam, can be divided
into various categories of folk music. In the present study a bifurcation is done
between the ceremonies of the Assamese Hindus and the ceremonies of some of
16
the major tribes of Assam. The demography trends had been discussed in the
previous chapters.
The people of Assam inhabit a multi ethnic, multi linguistic and mulit religious
society. The selection of the major ethnic groups had been done in this research
work which constitutes 72% of the population of the Brahmaputra valley which
1. ASSEMESE HINDUS
2. THE BOROS
3. THE KARBIS
4. THE MISINGS
5. THE DEORIS
6. THE RABHAS
7. THE TIWAS
8. THE HAZONGS)
ASSAMESE HINDUS
This segment is the major part of the population of Assam. Assamese speaking
census, the Assam Hindus constituted 64.9% of the total population of Assam.
17
THE BOROS
It is the major tribal community of Assam. Boros are considered as the earliest
immigrants in Assam and are said to be the most culturally rich community of the
north western parts of the state. Boro derived from the term Bod which means
Tibet, thus signifying that majority of the Bodos came from Bhutan planes. The 6 th
schedule of the constitution of India has conferred the Bodo tribal community the
status and prestige of a plain tribe. Bodo tribes are found in several places of
Assam. These Bodo tribes are amongst the primitive settlers of the valley of
Assam. Kokrajhar town is regarded as the hub of the Bodo tribal community.
Other main concentration includes the Brahmaputra valleys and also its adjacent
areas.
Language:- As far as the languages are concerned Bodo tribal people speak Bodo
language which has been derived from famous Tibeto-Burmese language family.
For writing, majority of these Bodo tribes of the primitive ages make use of the
Roman script and Assamese script. As a recent phenomenon, this Bodo tribal
community has taken up the Nagari script. There are also some eminent scholars
who are of the opinion that the Bodo language has developed their indigenous
script, which is popularly called Deodhai. The tribal group is known for their rich
and diverse culture. Cultural exuberance of the whole of the society of the Bodo
18
Like many other tribal community of Indian subcontinent, these Bodo tribes have
of Hinduism amongst the Bodo tribal community the majority of Boro Hindus
Also there are various religious practices and beliefs that have been adapted by all
the Boro tribal people over the years. In the ancient years, Bodo tribes fete their
ancestors However in the contemporary period these Bodo tribes have undertaken
Obonglaoree Fairs and festivals constitute a significant part of the culture of the
Bodo people. One of the most cherished festivals of this tribal group is Baishagu.
Other festivals include Kherai etc. The Bodo people are popularly known for their
THEHAZONGS
The Hajongs like most of the tribes of northeastern India, are of Mongoloid origin.
Their first settlement in India was in the Kamrup district of Assam and this was
their home for a long time. Following natural calamities a major portion of the
tribe settled in areas of west Bengal, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and also in
hilly parts of Bangladesh. Hajongs follow Hindu customs and also take Hindu
titles. Every Hajong family has a temple for worship called Deo Ghar and they
offer prayers in the morning and evening. Hajong community is patriarchal and
19
father or elder man is the chief of a Hazong family, Hazongs live in groups and the
of a Gaon. Hajongs live on agriculture. After marriage the Hazong bride goes to
the bridegrooms house. Polygamy and divorce is rarely seen in the tribe. Hajongs
The men of this tribe wear gamocha as a lower garment and women wear Pathin, a
standard size piece of cloth with broad and medium borders with a typical colour
Like many other aborigines, Hajongs are basically a farming community. At one
time they were accustomed to Jhurri farming but now they follow plough
farming. Side by side with rice and other crops they grow cotton and make fabrics
In terms of religious beliefs Hajongs are close to Hindus. Hajongs worship Durga
and other Hindu Gods and goddesses. But Lord Shiva is their chief deity. They
observe a number of bratas (vows) including the kartik brata performed in the
month of Kartik (October- November). Girls and women dance and sing in brata
ceremonies. Hajongs also worship the Brahmaputra River. Like Hindu Brahmins,
Hajongs wear paita (the holy thread) on their bodies. Hajongs are believers in
reincarnation too.
20
Rice is the staple food of the Hajongs. Fruits vegetables, muttons, pork, duks and
chicken are other major items of their diet. Hajong men wear dhuti and women
wear a piece of cloth to cover the upper part of the body and a separate piece for
the waist downward. They usually wear homemade clothes. Hajongs lead simple
lives. Most families live in thatched houses. Relatively better off families have tin
- shed or brick built houses. Houses are neat and clean reflecting neatness of their
life style. As modernization is making people life standard in different turn, more
and more Hazongs are dwelling house in town and cities. Like other ethnic groups
hazongs build and maintain community houses for other purposes. Hazongs have
an alphabet.
Bangla is a common practice among them. The Hazong language later got mixed
Hazong society.
Racially the Karbis belong to the Mongoloid group and linguistically they belong
to the Tibeto- Burman group. The original home of the various people speaking
Tibeto burman languages was in western China near the Yan- Tee-Kiang and
Hwang-Ho rivers and from these places they went down courses of the
Brahmaputra the Chindwin and Irrawadoly and entered India and Burma. The
Karbis along with other entered Assam from central Asia in one of the waves of
21
migration. But it is very difficult to trace the history of the early settlement of the
Karbis through any written documents and other evidence like archeological
remains etc.
From the point of view of habitation the Karbis are divided into 3(three) groups
known as Chinthong, Nilip- ronghang and Amri Marlong. Those who live in the
plains districts are called DUMRALI. Fundamentally these groups do not differ
Among the festivals observed by the Karbis mention may be made of the
Rongken Hacha-kekan chomangkan etc. While the former four festivals are
The Karbis have their traditional dresses which are artistically designed. These
dresses are woven at their family looms. There are separate dress for men and
women. The aged men use an artistically designed shirt called Choy- nangpo
and the shirt used by the young men is called Choy-hongthor. The men use a
cloth called Rikong. But nowadays most of the male persons have abandoned its
use. Only in the remote interior places, Rikong is found to be used specially by
The Karbis mentioned as the MIKIRS in the constitution order of govt. of India
constitute an important ethnic group in hill area of Assam. However they never
22
call themselves MIKIR but call themselves Karbi and sometimes Arleng which
literally means a man. Although at present they are found to inhabit in the Karbi
Anglong district nevertheless some Karbi inhabited pockets are found in the north
Cachar hills, Kamrup, Morigaon, Nagaon and Sonitputr districts also. Besides the
Karbi tribe there are also a large number of other tribal communities like Tiwa in
THE MISINGS
Misings, an Indo- Mongoloid group of people live in the eastern region of the
Jorhat ,Golaghat and Sonitpur. They migrated from eastern Himalayan regions in
Tibet in the hoary past and finally settled down in the fertile Brahmaputra valley
of Assam after having long centuries in the Siang region of present day Arunachal
Pradesh. While migrating to Assam the Misings followed mainly the course of the
its tributaries like the Dihing, Disang, Dikhow, the Subangiri, the Ranganadi,the
Dikrong etc. They are therefore basically a rivarian tribe, but erosions of the river
Brahmaputra have forced a section of Misings to move to other places away from
Lakhimpur and the Majuli subdivision of the Jorhat districts. There is a small
23
In the Brahmaputra valley the Mising have undergone a process of amalgamation.
The culture and civilization of their Assamese speaking Hindu neighbors both
Aryans and non- Aryans have influenced their native culture extensively over the
past centuries.
The traditional religious beliefs and practices amongst the Mising are animistic in
nature. They believe in different supernatural beings haunting the earth, usually
unseen. These supematural beliefs fall into four categories, viz, uyu or ui
(usually malevolent spirits inhabiting the water, the wood, the skies etc. capable of
inhabiting tall big trees who are generally not very harmful but who may abduct
human beings occasionally, cause some physical or mental impairment and release
them later). Barring the eporn- yapom all the supernatural beings need to
propitiated with sacrificial offerings (usually domestic fowl), both periodically and
on specific occasions of illness, disaster etc. Even the benevolent guardian spirits
are propitiated from times to time for the all round wellbeing of a household.
Nature worship as such is not a common practice amongst Misings. But the god
propitiated, the sun (who they call and dohnyi Mother sun) and the moon are
invoked on all auspicious occasions. The leader of their animistic faith is called a
Mibu their priest or medicine man, who is supposed to be born with special
24
The two chief traditional festivals of the Misings are the Ali- ai- ligang and the
DEORITRIBE
The Deori tribal community is one of the four of shutiya tribal member and is
also linked to the Bodo-garo. It is believed that after being ill treated by Mongol
rulers, these Deori tribal people came down to India via Tibet Burma and then had
taken refuge in the mountainous regions of Cachar hills. It has also been said that
the Deori tribe incorporates three groups Tengapaina, Borogoya and Dibongias
and these three groups are ramified into twenty four separate clans. Though the
Deori tribe is basically concentrated in Assam the people of this tribe are also
centered in some other states like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Deoris are
mainly found Lakhimpur and Sibsagar and speak both Assamese and their own
language. Agriculture is the main source of income for the deoris. In many Deori
villages there are traditional community weaving centers of the girls too.
Agriculture is the main occupation of the Deori tribe, with about ninety percent of
the populations involved in it. Their houses are built along the river banks and
Deoris worship the household deities and Hindu gods. Bihu is the major festival
celebrated by the Deoris. They also observe the Magh bihu and the Bohag bihu. At
the time of these festive occasions they perform many religious songs and dances.
25
The Deoris believe in supreme power called Kundimama who is worshipped in
different form by different clans. Each village of this tribe features a place of
worship called Thaan ghar. This is the site of worship for various gods and
goddesses. It also witnesses animal sacrifices which is an integral part of the tribal
rituals.
TIWA TRIBE
Northeast India. They are recognized as a scheduled tribe within the state of
peculiarity of the Tiwa is their division into two sub- groups: Hill Tiwa and Plain
The hill Tiwas live in the North- eastern corner of Ri-Bhoi district (Meghlaya).
They speak a Tibeto -Burman language of the Bodo-up. They are divided into a
dozen of clans recognized by specific names which they use as patronymics. Their
descent system can be said to be said to be ambilineal. In most cases the husband
goes to live in her wifes family settlement (matrilocality) and their children are
included in their mother clan. However in about 30% of the unions the woman
comes to live with her husband. In this case children take the name of their father.
This trend is on the rise under the influence of neighboring populations who are
mostly patrilineal. About half of the hill Tiwas follows their traditional religion.
It is based on the worship of local deties The other halves have been converted to
26
Christianity since since 950. The hill Tiwa society is organized around seven old
villages which constitute political as well as ritual centers. Each of them harbors a
chief (1oro) who performs judicial and religious duties for network of settlements,
Plain Tiwas live on the flat lands of the southern bank of the Brahmaputra valley
mostly in Morigaon aand Nogaon districts. The vast majority speaks Assamese as
their mother tongue. Tiwa language is still spoken on the foothills and in rare
does not consist in their clans names but in common Assamese names instead
(mostly Pator and Bordoloi). Their religion shares many elements with Assamese
RABHA TRIBE
Rabha tribal community in one of the Scheduled tribes of the Indian territory.
Apart from Assam these Rabha tribes are also found in other state of Indian like
west Bengal etc. In the state of Assam itself the concentration of these Rabha
tribes are namely Goalpara and Kamrup districts. In west Bengal this tribal group
community is ramified in two major segment viz, Maitoria and Rangdoniya group.
27
The Rabha tribe has excelled in the cultural heritage, as has been displayed in its
various aspects. Apart from practicing animistic rituals, the Rabhas follow a
distinct belief which is an amalgamation of the Hindu and animistic rituals and
customs. Differences are found among the rituals and practices of the village and
Most people of the Rabha tribal community speak own beautiful Rabha language.
An interesting aspect in that since the Rabha tribe have a belonging to the famous
Indo- Mongloid tribal group these Rabha tribes also bear similarities the other
Fairs and festivals are part and parcel of the exuberant culture of the Rabha tribal
community. These Rabha tribal people celebrate all main festivals of Indian
territory. These include Janmashtami, Durga Puja, Diwali, Id, Muharram, Me-
dam-me phi, the birth and death anniversaries of the vaishnavite saints Shrimanta
Shankardev and Shri Madhavdev. Apart from there the Rabha people celebrate the
Farkhanthi festival and the Baikhu festival. The people of Rabha community
celebrate the festive occasions with dance music and songs with great merriment.
These people have a distinct from of dance namely Nakchung Reni which they
perform when they celebrate the fishing. There are some of the local festivals
which these rabha tribes fete, in great festivity. During the spring season all the
28