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Mising community
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Tea Tribes
The Deori
community
The Deori community is one of the major
tribal communities of Assam and constitute on important ethnic group in
North East India. They belong to the Indo-Mongoloid race and linguistically
they belong to the Tibeto-Burman linguistic family.
Historical sources says,
that the Deoris are one of the four divisions of the Chutias (who reigned
Eastern Assam prior to the aduent of the Ahoms. ) The Chutias were divided
into four major groups --The Ahom Chutiyas , The Deori Chutiyas, The Hindu
Chutiyas and the Borahi Chutias. The Deoris were the priester of the
Chutiyas. It must be noted that the Deoris have now acquinted self
identifying features, and so how they identify themselves as only 'Deori'
and not as Deori Chutiya.
The Deori community is included in the Scheuled Tribe (plain) list of the
Constitution of India. As per 1971 census, the total population of the Deori
community consists of 23,080 persons(Male Population 11,901 and Female
population 11,179) The total literacy rate is 27.72% (Male literacy rate
-39.5% and female 15.1%)
In
the past the Deoris were divided into four guilds or clans. People living on
the banks of the rivers Debongs, Tengapani and Borgang belonged to the
Debongia, Tengapania and Borgoya clan respectively. Those inhabiting
the region of Potarohal belonged to Patargoya clan. The Patargoya clan has
now become extinct, and therefore at present thereare only three clans of
the Deori community. An important social aspect of the Deoris is that,
people belonging to the different clan do not live together in the name
village.
At
present, the Deoris live in the districts of Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Jorhat,
Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji and in the Sadiya region of Tinsukia district.
Morover, the Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh is also inhabited by the
Deoris. The Deoris left their original abode because of natural
calamities . The havocs wrought upon by flood and erosion were immeasurable.
Moreover because of their ethnic clash with the Mishimis, life and property
were in danger and so they shifted to some safer zones.
At
present, there are three Deori villages in the Dibrugarh district- Madhupur
eori gaon in Borbaruah, Kashamari Deori gaon on the bank of Dehing river in
the Jakai region and Kololowa Deori gaon in Khowang. These villags are
mainly inhabited by the people of the Tengapania clan.
The Deoris are the worshippers of the primordial power which they called 'Kundimama'.
It is belived that the primordial power has different forms. The Debongia
clan worships 'Gira-Girashi' or 'Burha- Burhi' (Lord Shiva and Parbati)
The Tengapania clan worships 'Pisha-Dema' (elder son of Gira-Girashi) and
the Borgoya clan worships 'Pishasi-Dema' (the elder daughter of Gira-Girashi).
Popularly called "KESAIKHAITI". Each of the villages has a 'Thaan-ghar'
(place of worship) where the people offer prayers to the Gods and Goddesses,
and also perform animal secrifice, which is an integral part of the
religious rituals.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the Deoris. About 90% ofthe total populations
depend upon agriculture for a living.
The Deoris, like other communities of Assam, also celebrate the Bihu
festival which they called 'Bishu". They generally observe the Magh
Bihu and the Bohag Bihu. In both Magh Bihu and Bohag bihu prayers are
offered and animal sacrifices are performed in the 'Thaan Ghar', but is
performed at the houses of the villagers. Men, women and children all
participate in this festive mood.
Unlike the other communities, who observe Bohag Bihu on the last day of
Chaitra (the last month of the Hindu year consisting of part of March and
April) and the first day of Baisakh the first month of the Hindu year
consisting of part of April and May), the Deoris observe it on the first
wednesday of Baisakh. In the month of Chaitra, the Deoris lperform Bihu at
night in the household of the 'Purohit' or 'Bharali' (prist). If the
last day of Chaitra happens to be a Tuesday, then they observe it as 'Uruka'
(the day previous to the Bihu festival)and on the next day, that is,
on wednesday, they welcome the Bohag Bihu.. It should be noted that the
Deoris celebrate Bihu and all holy occasions on wednesdays only.
Unlike Magh Bihu during Bohag Bihu, 'Deodhani Nritya' ' Huchori Hasoti,
Hurai Mangoli, Aabobo' and many other songs and dances are performed on the
premises of the 'thaan ghar'. Later on, Bihu is also performed at the
households. At should be noted that Bihu can be performed at the house only
after being observed in the 'Thaan ghar'.
An
important aspect of the Bohag Bihu of the Deoris is the appearance of 'Deodhani'
or 'Midikababa'.
It is believed that Gods and Goddesses
bestows divine powers upon certain persons and it is only those persons who
can be the 'Deodhani' (appearing as an incernation) of those Gods and
Goddesses. The 'Deodhani' predicts about the prosperity or malady of the
village through oracular exercises.
The 'Huchori and 'Hurairangoli' are generally sung by the women folk which
is accmpanied by the clapping of hands and stamping of feet which
produce a rhyghmic sound. While doing so, they move around in circles. These
songs especially reflect various aspects of a woman's life. 'Aabobo'
are the religious sons. According to some people, 'Aabobo' also deal with
the origin and culture of the Deoris.
Thus, it is seen that the Deoris have preserved their tradition and culture
through the passage of time. Having district traditions and customs , the
Deoris present a cultural heritage which is unique.
The Kachari's
Demographically
the Sonowal Kacharis form the third largest plains tribal group of Assam and
are mainly found in the district of undivided Dibrugarh.They are mostly the
devout followers of Mohapurisia Baisnav Dharma.They have a rich stream of
culture which flourished through generations. The songs
presented by men are called geet and by women are called Nam. Some prominent
geets are Haidang, husori, dhai naam biaa
naam , Gossain Naam,lakimi naam aai naam apeswara Nam.some remarkable
traditional dances besides Bihu are Hugra Dance, Bohuwa dance , Kula-burhir
Dance.
The
sonowal Kachari follows the Patriachal Society. as such the status of Men is
higher and the oldest male member is highly regarded.
They
are the scheluded Bodo tribes of assam. and concentrated mostly in the
districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia , Sibsagar, jorhat , and Golaghat. the term
Kachari is very difficult to trace. It is assumed that during the reign of
Ahom King some of the Kacharis were engaged in washing gold
particles from the sands of river and therefore the prefix Sonowal"
wasa added to signify them.
According
to an anecdote the kacharis of upper assam who became the disciple of
Gossain named Kachaideo were considered to have super natural powers of
offering a certain quantity of gold in a bamboo tube while the Ahom king
Gadadhar singa was on the throne. and these people came to be known as
Sonowal Kacharis.
The
sonowal kacharis have seven clans called Khel. their clans are exogamous.
they are Balikhitiari, Chiripuria , Amarabamiya, Dhulial ,
Ujani-Kuchiya,Namoni -kuchiya and Tipamiya..
The
sonowals were offered non tribal titles like Hazarika, saikia , Bora in
their process of assimilation with the non tribal people, specially during
Ahom Rule.
Household
activities: agriculture is the main occupation. poultry is also a popular
practice. they rear hens ducks cattle cows and goats. Drinking of Rice Beer
is common practice among them. Weaving is also an important household
activity. Items like edni , chadar and gamocha are the common weaving
products.
Tai
Phake
The
Tai Phakes also known as Phakials , a small population, found in the
riverine areas of Dibrugarh district. They were originally a hill tribe
within the famous Tai family. they call themselves Tai Phake.
The
Phakes call their place of worship as Bauddha Vihar which is generally
constructed in a place of their place.The Phake religion can be divided into
two major categories namely Buddhism and traditional beliefs or extra
Buddhaistic beliefs and practices
Economic
Activities
The
major occupation of their is agriculture. Besides agriculture they also have
other subsidary sources of income from which the people earn good
income.They also rear cattle , buffaloes .
Material
Culture
Rice
is their staple food. besides their
meals comprised of meat fish eggs,steamed
rice dry fish sour fish dry meat , rice cakes. Tea is their favourite
beverage.Killing of animals is prohibited so hunting is not practised by the
phakes.Fish catching is a popular practice.Agriculture plays a major part in
the life of the Phakes. Sali Paddy is the only crop that is cultivated by
the villagers.
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