Deuris
The Deuris are a branch of the Chutiyas which belong to the Bodo race. The Deuris are one of the four divisions of the Chutiyas who reigned eastern Assam prior to the advent of the Ahoms. The Deuris were the priests of the Chutiyas. At present the Deuris are mainly found in Lakhimpur and Sivasagar district. They are bilingual and speak both Assamese and Deuri language.
Deuris’ villages are generally found in the riverine areas hang fertile arable land. The houses are constructed on a bamboo platform raised about five feet above the ground, and they face east to west direction, with the doors opening to the east. Agriculture is the main source of income of the Deuris and in many Deuri villages there are traditional community weaving centres of the girls.
Deuris belonging to the Tengaponia sub-clan do not take mutton or flesh of the goat as it is forbidden according to a legend of the clan. They prefer rice beer to water evenwhile quenching thirst. The Deuris attach much importance and mystery to their religion. Their priests are Bor Deuri, Soru Deuri, Bor Bharali and Soru Bharali only. The term ‘Deuri’ appears to be a later coinage derived from ‘Deva’ which means A God. The Deoris observe Bihu during the month of Bohag. They also celebrate Magh Bihu. The Deuris have Deodhani who predicts about the prosperity or malady of the villages through the oracle.
The Deuris are a branch of the Chutiyas which belong to the Bodo race. The Deuris are one of the four divisions of the Chutiyas who reigned eastern Assam prior to the advent of the Ahoms. The Deuris were the priests of the Chutiyas. At present the Deuris are mainly found in Lakhimpur and Sivasagar district. They are bilingual and speak both Assamese and Deuri language.
Deuris’ villages are generally found in the riverine areas hang fertile arable land. The houses are constructed on a bamboo platform raised about five feet above the ground, and they face east to west direction, with the doors opening to the east. Agriculture is the main source of income of the Deuris and in many Deuri villages there are traditional community weaving centres of the girls.
Deuris belonging to the Tengaponia sub-clan do not take mutton or flesh of the goat as it is forbidden according to a legend of the clan. They prefer rice beer to water evenwhile quenching thirst. The Deuris attach much importance and mystery to their religion. Their priests are Bor Deuri, Soru Deuri, Bor Bharali and Soru Bharali only. The term ‘Deuri’ appears to be a later coinage derived from ‘Deva’ which means A God. The Deoris observe Bihu during the month of Bohag. They also celebrate Magh Bihu. The Deuris have Deodhani who predicts about the prosperity or malady of the villages through the oracle.
Fakials
Garos
A tribe of the north-east. Habitat mainly centered at Assam and Garo Hill in Meghalaya. Also found in Coochbehar and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal, Tripura and Nagaland. Garos have several sects (masong in local dialect) and sub-sects. The main masongs are Sangma, Marak and Momin. Sub-sects are Abeng Arong, Cirus, Maji, Rongma, Diu and Hridma. Garos are Mongoloid tribes. They have their own language. Though basically Hindu, Christianity is also making inroads into the Garo Society. Traditionally Garo womenfolk used to wear a shirt and a broad cloth covering the upper portion of the body and dangling to their knees. Men used to wrap a piece of cloth around their waist. Of course, gradually they are embracing modern dresses too. The Garo society is matriarchal. The unmarried youth of a village live in a community hall called Nakpanthi. Basically a farming community, the Garos used to produce rice, chillies, potatoes etc., through jhum cultivation. They have a rich cultural heritage and celebrate with dance and songs. Wangala is their main festival.
Hajong is a tiny tribe of Assam. They are basically followers of Hindu religious faith. They worship various gods and goddesses like Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, Kartik, Monosa, Saraswati and Basanti etc. ‘Kartik Puja’ is known as ‘Katka Puja’ and ‘Monosa Puja’ is known as ‘Kanideu Puja’ among the Hajongs. The day of ‘Lakshmi Puja’ is known as the day of ‘Kojai Ghar’. Another important religious worship performed by the Hajongs is ‘Kamakhya Puja’ (worship of goddess Kamakhya).
Hajongs
Karbis
One of the most ancient tribes of the State. Known also as Mikir. According to Karbi myth, their forefathers came from Knong Book Piller, a mountain somewhere near the north-eastern border. Karbis first inhabitated a mountain somewhere between Diphu and Dimapur. The mountain where they used to live was within the jurisdiction of the Kachari kingdom and the Kachari kings inflicted enormous humiliation on the Karbis. They were even taken as slaves. The process of convergence of the Karbis into the broader Assamese society began only during the Ahom rule. Karbis call fire may and water lang. According to myth, once a Karbi man left a fire burning inside the house. When he came out, his wife asked him, ‘May akaar be?’ (Why are you leaving the fire so?). From may akaar be came the word Karbi.
Basically a well-knit community, even disputes among the Karbis are resolved by the seniors of the society. Karbis are very strict about the sanctity of marriage. Boys and girls are allowed to meet at Chamangkan (a festival) when they dance together. God-fearing Karbis have both Hindus and Christians among them. The Hindus worship a number of gods. Believers of rebirth or re-incarnation, it’s a common practice among the Karbis to name the grandchild after their grandparents, who they believe have taken rebirth. Harlang or horap or saanj (a kind of wine) is the main offering in Karbi pujas. They burn their dead. The womenfolk wear pini (a piece of black cloth that covers the upper portion of the body and dangles to the calves), while rikong (a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist) is the customary dress for men. The traditional dress of women consists of the wankok (a belt), jis (for the upper part of the body), and knogthepi (earring) to add to their beauty. Likewise the men wear poho (a stylish turban), leko (necklace made of pearls), and tssoi (decorative shirts). Chokeroi (Worshipping of goddess Laxmi) is one of their biggest festivals. The Karbi literature comprises mainly of songs viz. Masira Kohir, Karbi Keplang, Hachakekan, Chabin Aalun, Rong Kekim, Osa Kebu Aalun, Thelu Aalun, Haimu Aalun etc., stories and idioms.
The ethnic origin of the Rabhas is Mongoloid. Their hirsuite type, large supraor-bital ridges, broad face, low bridge nose and sparse body hair clearly indicate their Mongoloid origin. In the districts of Goalpara, Darrang and Kamrup where a great number of this tribe has settled, they have been subjected to conversion or a gradual process of assimilation so that there is hardly any differences between the Assamese other backward classes and the Rabhas. Though clannish in nature, the Rabhas seldom care to make the village look an integrated one. Their house is a two-roof affair. It stands on the ground with the roofs almost touching the same on both sides. Almost cent percent of the Rabha people are agriculturist. Percentage of people engaged in other activities is negligible to make any impact upon the village economy.
The Rabhas speak a language different from that of the Kacharis. The Rabha language is spoken at present by a handful of the tribe who belong to the Rangdaniya and Maintoria group. It is already in the process of becoming inflexional through intercourse with the Assamese and Bengali speakers.
The Rabha women-folk love the amber colour for their costume which consists of three pieces. The petticoat encircles the body below the hips and flows decently to the feet. There is an amber scarf folded round the bosom besides a head piece, also of the same colour. The rabhas practise monogamy. Children belong to the Baraihuri (family) of the mother but a daughter cannot inherit the property of the father. The Rabhas cremate their dead. They observe a yearly festival for the dead kins of the clan, which is known as Farkhanthi. Their biggest festival of the year is Baikhu. During Baikhu the youth sing Sathar songs to the accompaniment of Kara flute and singa. Kingfisher is the sacred bird of the Rabhas.