Mising Tribe: Belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family of the Mongoloid group, the Misings or the Miries are the second largest group of plain tribes in Assam. Their original abode was north east Frontier Agency (NEFA, Present day Arunachal Pradesh) from where they came down to the plains of Assam much before the advent of the Ahoms and settled down in the riverine areas of Subansiri and Brahmaputra rivers. Misings… with a population of 63,572 constituting 42% of the total population of Majuli (According to census 2001). Their dwelling & livelihood is notable as far as the Mising tribe is concern. Riverin as they are, they built their houses on raised platforms nearly five feet from the ground to escape the fury of the flood. A traditional Mising house is constructed on bamboo or wooden posts with slanting thatch roof and split bamboo flooring. They do not have partition walls within their houses and the entire family live together with a fire place, which is considered to be sacred, in the middle. The houses are connected to the ground with wooden ladder and an open space is kept in the front to entertain guests. Houses are constructed facing east, north and south but not west and are considered to be safe from the natural calamities like flood, storm and earthquake which are common to this region. This Misings have a tradition of maintaining bachelor’s dormitory called Morang. Misings are basically agriculturists and they mainly grow Ahu variety of paddy in their fields. They also cultvate Bao Dhan, mustard seeds, different pulses and seasonal vegetables. They also produce cotton to meet the demand of their looms. Apart from agricultural products, they sell pigs, paultry, drift woods, thatch grasses and loom products in the local markets. Like all other tribes, rice is their staple food. They take boiled vegetables, cooked pulses, baked fish and meat along with boiled rice. In Mising village hand looms are common sight almost in all the families. The womenfolk weave colorful dresses in their looms for the entire family. Sumpa, Galuk, Yamboo, Riwi Gaseng and Ege are their traditional dress. On festive or special occasions they wear Miboogaseng, Tangali and Ganroo. Dominated by green, yellow, red and black, the dress of the Misings is very colorful with typical traditional motifs. The Misings are broadly known by two sections namely Barogam and Dahgam. The religious beliefs of the Misings are based on the supernaturalism and animism. They believe that sprits which they call Uri are of many kinds and they are everywhere. If the spirits are not satisfied with regular prayer and offerings, they may create misfortunes like storm, earthquake, flood, epidemic and so on. The Mising festivals still bear traditional look and flavour. They observe various festivals during a year out of which the Ali - Aye- Ligang or the sowing festival, is most important. They observe this festival on the first Wednesday of the month of Falgun every year with much gaiety and funfair. Porag festival is also notable one. Their traditional culture and various forms of dances and songs are important part of their heritage. Note: Data and words… compiled from “Caught in their Nests”(An illustrated book on the plain tribes of Assam) Published by Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Assam Sonowal Kacharies: After the Misings, the Sonowal Kacharies are considered to be the third largest group of the plain tribes of Assam. They have close socio-religious, linguistic and cultural affinity with the Barmans of Cachar, Bodo-Kachari of the lower Assam Districts and the Dimasas of the N.C Hill district. Opinions differ about the origin of the term Sonowal as they are called the Sonowals. While some authors relates their traditional occupation of collecting gold from the sands of the river Subansiri, a legend tells a different story about the group of Kacharies who offered gold to test to the supernatural power of Sri Keshodeo Goswami, Vaishnavite Gusain of Majuli before being converting themselves to Hinduism during the reign of the Ahom king Gadhadhar Singha. The group of people who offered gold (Sona for local language) is thus known as the Sonowals. According to 2001 census 1,071 people of this community are in Majuli. Most of them in the Sonowal Kachari village which is about 3 km to the east of the Natun Bazar in Upper Majuli. Their social structure is remarkable and reflective of their tradition. Among the Sonowal Kacharis, the Gaon Burha or the headman of the village is the supreme authority in day to day administration of the village. Barik, Pathek, Asirbodiya Bura, Gitgahai, Medhi, Bayan, Tamuli, Randhani, Biloniy etc. are their social ranks and status based on their work. If we see their livelihood and food habit… we‘ll find their agricultural based life process. They are wet cultivators and both Ahu and Sali paddies are grown in their fields. Besides paddy they grow mustard, potatoes, sweet potatoes, different pulses and seasonal vegetables too. They are basically rice eater. They greatly relies fish, Chicken and mutton but do not take pork and do not rear pigs also. Rice beer is taken occasionally. Unlike Misings they offer tea to the gusts followed by betel nuts. The Sonowal Kachari follows four types of Marriages, Viz. Nowa Dhowa or Bor Biya, Hom Diya, Gandharba and Churchuriya or Rabha Sarakai Diya. The Sonowal Kacharies follow Mahapurusiya Vaishnab Dharma. All Sonowal Kacharies are the disciple of Auniti Satra. Vaishnavism has deep roots into their hearts. The most important festivals for Sonowal Kacharies are the ‘Rangali Bihu’, ‘Magh Bihu’ and the ‘Kati Bihu’ as observed by the general Assamese Community. Haidang, Hagra, and Bohua are the main dance form of the Sonowal Kacharis. The Deories: The Deories are one of the four divisions of the Chutiya tribe who entered Assam through the North Eastern Passes and established their settlements mainly in the Sadiya area at the upper ranges of the river Brahmaputra. They are originated from the Tibeto-Burmese branch of the Mongoloids, have a population of 3,498 in Majuli, constituting percentage of the total population of Majuli (according to census 2001). The form and frame of home and village are their own style and totally related with their traditional heritage. Their social and cultural structure is not similar with the Mising tribe or other tribes. But their marriage ceremony is to some extant same as Vaidika system. the Deories strictly follow clean exogamy in case of marriage. As a riverine tribe their houses are constructed on raised platforms facing the river. Basically agriculturists, both men and women keep themselves engaged in field activities. Keeping their own dialect and culture, the Deories of Majuli celebrate Bihu apart from their own Hurairangali, a dance form. They are mainly concentrated in the two villages of Major Deori and Sriram Deori. Major Deori is Located at a distance of 6 km to the east of Jengraimukh while Sriram Deori is located 7 km to the south east of Jengraimukh. Broadly, the Deori Society can be divided in to Secular and Religious sections. The Deories are found to be maintaining their traditional beliefs and practices. Though the influence of Vaishnavism can be seen in the present Deori Society, the faith towards traditional beliefs and practices is still prominent. Lord Siva and Parvati are their chief Deities. The Deories observed two major festivals during a year viz. Bohag Bihu or Bohagiyo Bisu and Magh Bihu or Magiyo Bisu. Unlike the Assamese, the Deories do not always observe Bihu on the Sankranti Day.the celebration of Bisus may be deferred to a day or two as it must begin from a Wednesday.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 09:08:31 +0000
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