Home > Travel > States of India > Bodo Tribe of Udalguri District
Bodo Tribe of Udalguri District
Bodos of Udalguri district are amongst the ancient local populace of the district of Udalguri.

Share this Article:

Bodo Tribe of Udalguri DistrictBodos of Udalguri district comprises an ethnic local community who were the earliest settlers of the Eastern Indian state of Assam. The 1991 census had stated that Assam boasted of as many as 1.2 million Bodos, which constitute 5.3% of the aggregate population of this state. The Bodo people are part of a gigantic local ethnic group, which is referred to as the `Bodo-Kachari`. They mainly inhabit the town of Kokrajhar.

The Bodos are concentrated in numerable regions of North-Eastern India, as well as areas of the country of Nepal. They are a part of the famous 18 ethnic sub groups which belong to the Bodo-Kachari community. The other major ethnic groups existent in Udalguri district include Hojai who are based in the northern part of Cachar Hills, Dimasa who reside in the very same region, and Thengal and Sonowal who occupied the eastern portions of the Brahmaputra River. Some of the regional tribes of Udalguri district like Sarania, Koch and others have embraced the religion of Hinduism while others have their own identities like the Garo tribes.

Some of the common surnames utilized by the Bodo groups are Owary, Narzary, Basumatary, Khakhlary, Ishwary, Ramsiary, Mwshahary, Bodosa, Bwiswmuthiary, Goyary, Brahma, Boro, Dwimary, Sargwary, Ishlary, Borgayari, Wary and Sibigry. According to the 1971 census, Bodos represent the eighth largest ST or Scheduled Tribe in this country and about I million people communicate through the Bodo language. It is said that the Bodo language is obtained from The Tibeto-Burmese family of languages. However, recently, they prefer interacting in the Devanagari script. The Bodos possess their individual language script known as the `Deodhai`.

During ancient ages, Bodos are believed to have started cultivating rice, tea and tea. Other farming activities included silkworm rearing and poultry farming, particularly in the North-Eastern part of India. `Zu Mai` is the traditional drink of the Bodos and rice forms their staple diet. Weaving is an important local industry. Young Bodo girls are imparted training in the field of weaving and it is said that a Bodo home is incomplete if it is devoid of a loom. `Dokhnas` or traditional dresses of the Bodo people are woven expertly by the local Bodo women. Apart from weaving, Bodos are also excellent bamboo craftsmen.

In olden times, the Bodos were known to worship their ancestors but nowadays, religions like Hinduism, Bathousism and others are practiced. Kherai Puja is an essential ritual which is a part of Bathousism. This religion involves worshipping the forefathers of the Bodos. `Ba` implies five and `thou` means deep, as per the language of the Bodos. Another religion which is followed by many Bodos is that of Brahmaism. Fire burning is performed to worship the Bathou God. Several Bodos are also said to practice the Brahma Dharma.

The Bodoland Territorial Council has been granted to the people of Bodos of Udalguri district. Historical records have asserted that the Bodos have struggled for their independence in the 1980`s under the leadership of Upendra Nath Brahma, who is now revered as the father of the Bodos or `Bodo-Fa`. After a prolonged struggle, the Bodos attained Kokrajhar and other adjacent regions under their jurisdiction. Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) and All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) spearheaded the movement for autonomy of the Bodos.

Bodos are mostly farmers. Betel nut plantations, fishery, jute cultivation, rice plantation and others are significant agricultural industries of the Bodos of Udalguri district. Corns and mustard are other important crops planted by them. The religions of Christianity, Brahma Dharma, Islam and Assamese Sarania are said to have inspired the social culture of the Bodo community.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in States of India


East Indian States
East Indian States comprises of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and also the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It defines the cultural heritage, rich historical background and the linguistic unity.
Erode District
Erode District is one of the districts in the state of Tamil Nadu. The district of Erode is having a land-locked area with no sea coast.
Purnia District in Bihar
Purnia District is located in Bihar and extends from River Ganga to Nepal. The district has a rich Hindu history and glorious past.
South Delhi District
South Delhi District is the third largest district of Delhi as far as its area is concerned. South Delhi District is known for its economic, historical, cultural and social significance.
North Indian States
North Indian States formed the cultural and religious unity in spite of having many foreign invasion and the political disturbances from the early era till the British gained supremacy in Indian sub continent.
Kendujhar District
Kendujhar District, spread over an area of 8,240 sq kms, is as varied as the whole of Orissa with waterfalls roaring gorges, mountains and minerals. The manifold expressions of nature in Kendujhar District are considered as unique.
Hooghly district
Hooghly District along the bank of the river Hooghly is one of the principal trading ports of West Bengal.
Districts of South Tamil Nadu
Districts of South Tamil Nadu consist of many tourism destinations like archaeological sites and the history of Pandyas and Cholas. Considering their proximity to the sea, many districts also boast of serene beaches and coastal beauty.
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh includes infinite species and is a subject of great interests for the botanists.
Districts of South Gujarat
Districts of South Gujarat are the epicenter of Jain pilgrimages and the early Hindu kingdoms.
North West States of India
North West States of India consist of three states, which are Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. All of them are culturally and traditionally diverse and they have been ruled by different dynasties in historical time.
Geography Of Chittoor District
Geography of Chittoor district is spread along the topography of the land which is divided into two natural divisions; Chittoor has a dry and healthy climate.
Districts of North Rajasthan
District of Northern part of Rajasthan is dotted with ancient forts and medieval villages.
Districts of North Odisha
District of North Odisha has Bengal boundary and shares the same culture. These are reachable if one pays a weekend visit to Digha.
Districts of West Bihar
Districts of West Bihar is comprised of medieval monuments that were built by the different governors of Mughal era.
Districts of South Haryana
Districts of South Haryana consists of many cities of industrial excellence. These districts are dotted with popular tourism destinations.
Medieval History of Assam
Medieval history of Assam narrates the advent and rule of a number of kingdoms in the region. The prominent dynasties of the kingdom left an everlasting imprint on the socio cultural heritage of India.
Geography of Meghalaya
The suitable climate, highland plateaus, rivers and the flora and fauna together forms the geography of Meghalaya.
Districts of Rayalaseema
Districts of Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh state has urban population and rural settlements as well.
Districts of South Punjab
Districts of Southern part of Punjab depict medieval history of Punjab and the rise of Sikhs.