This year in 2018 A-Z Challenge I
wanted to start with writing about the places I have visited during childhood
and youth days and I find lot of people are not aware of thhttp://www.hindilyrics.net/translation-Rudali/Dil-Hoon-Hoon-Kare.htmlem..One such community is AHOM
Do you remember the famous song from Movie Rudali..Dil hoom hoom kare, ghabraaye (http://www.hindilyrics.net/translation-Rudali/Dil-Hoon-Hoon-Kare.html) composed and sung by Bhupen Hazarika famous singer was a descendant of Ahom community.
A reminded me one of my favorite
times where I spent some good moments of my life in upper part of Assam where a
major population belonged to AHOM community.
The
Ahom people of Assam are
said to be descendants of Tai people based near the Brahmaputra river in early
thirteenth century. The Ahom dynasty (1228–1826)
ruled the Ahom kingdom in present-day Assam for nearly 600 years. The dynasty
was established by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince of Mong Mao who came to Assam after
crossing the Patkai mountains . They ruled the kingdom until British gained control of region through
treaty of Yandabo upon winning the First Anglo Burmese war in 1826.
They are the largest Mongoloid Community not only in
Assam but in entire northeast region . Majority are found in upper Assam
including present day Sibasagar , Dibrugarh , Tinisukia. They are also found in
Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Key Contributions to development of
society
- BIHU has been the most precious gift of
Ahoms to Assam.
- ‘RANG GHAR’ amphitheatre where it first shaped
up and then, it journeyed to the eternal fame.
- Tolatol Ghor, Rong Ghor,
Kareng Ghor and the Saraideu Moidams - Yes, the Ahoms made them, thus, giving
Assam awesome and imposing architectural landmarks. Also, the Joysagar and
Sibasagar tanks which add beauty to the purity of JOYDOL and SHIVADOL were
built by the Ahoms.
- Bravery is middle name. Ahom was the only kingdom in
entire India which won over the well-organized and mighty Mughals. The Great
Lachit Borphukan, an Ahom, did not let the Mughals enter Assam as his army
quashed them to defeat in the famous battle of Saraighat. Lachit built ‘GARHS’
(defensive structures) within one night as a safety measure. It surely cost him
his uncle. But, like he famously said – “DEKHOT KOI MUMAI DANGOR NOHOI.”
Country is my priority not Uncle.
Religious
Practices: Although modern Ahom people and their culture are a syncretism blend
of the original Tai culture, the indigenous Tibeto-Burmans and Hinduism but
many still follow original religion named “Fralung “ . There is no god in Ahom religion. FRA symbolizes nature
and its creation where as lung symbolizes Force . This
seems to be more a scientific humanitarian philosophy related with the creation
of the universe(s), existence of life and purpose of human life than that of a
so-called religion. The custom regarding the Ahom with their dead is
to not burn them but keep them in a box. They have inter-married, some with the
Tibeto Burmans who gave them the name of Ahom.. They worship ancestors who they believe will keep them safe. They
believe that when dead, a person goes to heaven and becomes a god and they then
worship them
Marriage : Chak-long ceremony- The word
‘Chak-long’ means ‘marriage’ and it’s a special mode in which a typical Ahom
marriage is performed.
Sodhanibhar’ triggers the chain of
fascinating events- It's typically a gift, consisting of betel
nuts and leaves, rice, ducks, etc which the groom-to-be’s family carries to the
house of the bride-to-be for asking her hand. The next step is to fix a date
for the bride-to-be's people to come and see how the groom-to-be's family
lives. Only post that, the wedding date is fixed.The three day
ceremony is popular among the Tai Ahom people. The first day is called
‘Joron-diya’, the second day is ‘Murot-tel diya’ and the final day is
‘Chak-long’.
It's
the first day of the marriage on which the family of the bridegroom comes and
gifts wedding apparel (minimum three or maximum seven sets) and ornaments to
the bride, along with other necessary articles. Also, two earthen pots filled
with rice, decorated with cotton yarn and wrapped around in beautiful napkins,
with a fresh mango-twig having five leaves planted in each of them and four
packets of paste of black pulse, named ‘mati-mah’ and turmeric are gifted to
the bride for her bathing ritual.
The
Chak-long ceremony is conducted by the ‘Siring Phukan’ or priest. The priest,
also called Moulung, reads from the 'Saklang puthi'- the holy book for
marriage, and narrates the history of the ancestors to the bride and groom.
Such narration is believed to encourage and inspire the couple to look forward
to a happy married life and carry forward the legacy of their forefathers.
The
‘Maral’, a vast and beautiful Rangoli decorated with 101 earthen lamps, is the
center of attraction of the whole Chak-long ceremony. The bride and groom sit
in front of this Maral, make a promise to start a new life together before the
lighted lampoon and then the priest proceeds with the ritual of the marriage in
the presence of an audience of parents and elders.
I hope you gained information about this community and excited to know more about them please visit website
http://assam.gov.in/culture-of-assam
Please give your feedback on how many of you visited Upper Assam and have experienced understanding culture and belief of this beautiful community who believes in the cycle of nature..
Bodo tribe is an ethnic community of Assam which is mainly concentrated near Brahmaputra valley. Bodo Tribe form the largest minority group in the state. 
