Bodo Tribe, Assam - Informative & researched article on Bodo Tribe, Assam
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Indian Tribals


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | RSS Feeds  | Free E-magazine
Indian Tribals : Indian Tribal Art l Indian Folk and Tribal Art l Indian Tribal Women l Indian Tribal Society l Indian Scheduled Tribes l Indian Tribal People l Indian Tribal Festivals l Indian Tribal Fashion l Indian Tribal Music l Indian Tribal Performing Arts l Religious Life of Indian Tribes l Indian Tribal Culture l Indian Aboriginal Tribes l Indian Tribes
Home > Society > Indian Tribals > Indian Tribal People > Tribes of Assam > Bodo Tribe
Bodo Tribe, Assam
Bodo tribes are the most ethnic community of Assam and are majorly concentrated near Brahmaputra valleys.

Bodo Girl in Traditional DokhnaThe Bodo tribes are considered as the earliest immigrants in Assam and are said to be the most cultural community of the north-western parts of Assam. `Bodo` is derived from `Bod` that connotes Tibet, thus relating most part of the Bodos arrived from Bhutan passes. The Bodo tribal community has a belonging to a large group of ethnicity, popularly named as the Bodo-Kachari. The 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India has conferred the Bodo tribal community the status and prestige of a plain tribe.

Apart from this the Bodo tribes are also found in several places like Assam etc. Special information is being thrown about the total population of the Bodo tribal community. 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.

Cultural exuberance of the whole of the society of the Bodo tribal community incorporates elements like dancing, singing, language etc. Also if one studies the society of the Bodo tribal community, one can find several surnames like Bargayary, Basumatary, Bodosa, Boro, Brahma, Bwiswmuthiary, Dwimary, Goyary, Ishlary, Ishwary, Khaklary, Mushahary, Narzary, Owary, Sargwary, Sibigry and Wary.

As far as the languages are concerned, these Bodo tribes prefer the beautiful 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.

Over the years following the traditions and culture of some of the other tribal communities of the whole of the Indian subcontinent, these Bodo tribes too have taken up several occupations. In the early years, this Bodo tribal community has practiced of all types of cultivation and farming. Rice farming, tea plantation, pig and poultry farming, and silkworm rearing are quite significant amongst them. Moreover, the Bodos are excellent bamboo craftsman and the Bodo tribal community has also developed craftsmanship in creating several products from things like bamboo.

Even, these Bodo tribes have developed tastes for some of the mouthwatering dishes. All the Bodo tribal community is very fond of the conventional drink, called Zu mai where Zu means wine, Mai means rice. For most of the Bodo tribes, rice is the main food and is usually savored by a non vegetarian dish like fish or pork. In fact almost all the Bodo tribes have developed preference for various kinds of non-vegetarian dishes. Apart from these, Bodos are fond of Oma Bedor, Onla and Narzi and these are their main cuisines.

Weaving is also a popular occupation of the Bodo tribes. All the exquisite products that these Bodo tribes have created over the years have been the main force of enabling the Bodo tribal community to reach to its zenith. Several Bodo families rear their own silkworms, the cocoons of which are then spun into silk. Amongst the Bodo tribal females, weaving has gained fame and popularity. Since a very early age, these Bodo girls learn the art of weaving, and thus loom is an inseparably thing in the courtyard of a Bodo house.

Dresses of the Bodo tribal community is quite exquisite, thereby, exhilarating the beauty and glamour of females to a wide extent. The conventional dress of a Bodo female is popularly called Dokna, which these Bodo women knit on their own hands only. Shawls also are in fashion of the Bodo tribal community.

Just like many of the tribal communities, these Bodo tribes too have developed inclination for religion and all the other forms of spiritualism also. Various worships are being arranged with exotic dancing and music forming an integral part of it. Instances can also be cited. During the time of Kheria puja , almost all the Bodo girls execute the Kherai dance. Drummers too elevate the mood of frenzy during that time. The Bodos celebrate festivals like Awnkham Gwrlwi Janai, Bwisagu, Hapsa Hatarnai, Garja and Domashi. Among these festivals Kherai festival which includes singing, drumming and dancing is celebrated with much rejoice.

Also there are various religious practices and beliefs have been adapted by all the Bodo tribal people over the years. In the ancient years, Bodo tribes fete their ancestors. However, in the contemporary period, these Bodo tribes have undertaken the diverse practices like Bathouism, Hinduism. To be precise, Bathouism is a special type of worship of progenitors, better known as Obonglaoree. As a symbol of Bathou , the siju plant , which belongs to the Euphorbia genus, is widely worshipped with lots of veneration. Near the household courtyard of a Bodo tribe, a cleanse surface has been considered to be fit for worship. Offerings like a pair of Betelnut called `goi` and betel leaf, known as `pathwi` are being made. On several occasions, offerings include rice, milk, and sugar. For the Kherai Puja, the most significant festival of the Bodo tribal community, the altar is to be found in the rice field. Other important festivals of the Bodo tribes include Garja, Hapsa Hatarnai, Awnkham Gwrlwi Janai, Bwisagu and Domashi.

Like many of the tribal communities of Indian subcontinent, these Bodo tribes have got orientation towards religion as well as spiritualism. Despite the advancement of Hinduism amongst the Bodo tribal community, the majority of Bodo Hindus follow a set of rules called Brahma Dharma who does not follow mainstream Indian practices like caste and dowry. Bodos are the practitioners of Bathouism culture and the worship of Siju plant is considered as Bathou Symbol.

Further, some interesting points have been inferred by the anthropologists, which have carried on surveys on their lives. This Bodo tribal community speaks the language, having the same name. In the Bodo Language Ba means five and thou means deep. Five is a significant number in the Bathou religion.

(Last Updated on : 1/10/2009)
  More on Tribes of Assam...
 
Dimasa Tribe Mikir Tribe Bodo Tribe
Deori Tribe Lalung Tribe Rabha Tribe
Naga Tribe Dubla Tribe Naga Tribe , Assam
Madari    
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Tribals
  • Monsang Tribe
    Monsang tribes, a very important tribe, are mainly found in five villages of Chandel district of Manipur.
  •  
  • Maram Tribe
    Maram tribes, located in various parts of Manipur, are divided into three clans that enrich their religion.
  •  
  • Koirao Tribe
    Koirao tribes, also known as the Thangal, reside in the lofty hills of Manipur in India
  •  
  • Hmar Tribe
    Hmar tribe is reckoned as scheduled tribe and are brilliant artists.
  •  
E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
Free E-magazine
Subscribe to Free
E-Magazine on Indian Tribals

 
Bodo Tribe, Assam - Informative & researched article on Bodo Tribe, Assam
Sitemap
Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.