Darrang District

A Note on The Tribes in Darrang

Darrang has a rich tapestry of tribes, each contributing to the region's cultural heritage. The prominent tribes include:

• Bodos: A significant ethnic group known for their unique traditions and language.
• Sonowal Kacharis: Known for their distinct festivals and lifestyle.
• Mikir: Famous for their craftsmanship and vibrant festivals.
• Rabhas: Renowned for their dance and music forms.
• Gorkhas: Known for their bravery and martial culture.

The Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes Amendment Act, 1976 specifies 14 tribes in the two Autonomous Hill Districts, viz. Karbi-Anglong and the North Cachar Hills, and nine in the plains districts of Assam as Scheduled tribes. Numerically, the Bodo-Kacharies are the largest group among the plains tribes.

Besides the above-mentioned tribes, the Nepalis, the ex-tea garden labourers, the Muslims - both Assamese and Bengali, the Hindu Bengalis, the Hindu Assamese, and the Buddhists have been living in this region since the coming of the British. Therefore, this region may be called the cauldron or the melting pot of different races having different languages and customs.

Long before the arrival of the British, the population of this region was scanty. After the British took over the charge of this district, the tea-tribes and the Bengali people migrated here as labourers and clerks, respectively. Owing to inter-district migration, the local people, particularly the Bodo-Kacharis, began to feel that they had been exploited politically, socially, economically, linguistically, and culturally by outsiders.

The Bodo-Kacharis are numerically the largest plains tribe of this region. The term 'Bodo-Kachari' is used to include splinter groups like Sarania, Mahalia, Sonowal-Kacharis, Thengals, Brahmas, and the Burmans.

The Bodo-Kacharis of Assam belong to the Tribeto-Burman group of the Indo-Chinese race. The Assamese call them Kacharis, and they are known as Meches in Bengal. The word 'Bodo' is derived from 'Bod', which means Tibet, suggesting that the people of this region likely entered through Bhutan passes. They are called Kachari because they lived in the 'Kassar' or below the Himalayan range.

Originally, the Bodos were a linguistic group, and the term 'Bodo' is used in an ethnic sense as well. Historically, they had no script of their own, and their language remained a dialect until the government of Assam introduced Bodo M.I.L. in Higher Secondary education in 1930, with subsequent developments in Bodo language education.

While the Bodo-Kacharis, Rabhas, Garos, and Hajongs belong to the Mongoloid stock, their morphological features differ. The Kacharis are generally taller, while the Rabhas have broader faces and noses. Rev. S. Endle noted that the Bodo-Kacharis of Darrang district were not tall or handsome, resembling the shorter, stouter Nepalis. However, this perception is outdated, as many changes have occurred over the past century.

According to Endle, the Bodos were known for their sincerity and truthfulness. An example he documented involved a Bodo peasant who confessed to killing a co-worker in court, even when he could have denied his guilt.

The Bodo society is predominantly patriarchal, with some matriarchal features. If a man dies without paying bride-money, his daughter can inherit his property. Traditionally, grooms did not visit the bride's house, but this practice has become obsolete. The Bodo-Kacharis recognize marriages between Hindu and Christian communities, contrasting with non-tribal customs.

Historically, Bodo marriages lasted seven days and nights, often leading to financial strain. Today, Bodo marriage ceremonies are simpler, following the Braha Cult, with feasts held similarly to those of caste-Hindus. Despite some dietary differences, both tribals and non-tribals enjoy similar foods like fish, meat, and various creepers.

Though Bodo-Kacharis traditionally avoided milk due to its adverse reaction with rice-beer, they have a fondness for rice-beer, served during significant occasions like marriages and festivals. Fifty years ago, Bodo-Kacharis faced significant challenges, lacking infrastructure and access to education, leading to high mortality rates from diseases.

Since independence, educational opportunities have improved, with schools and colleges established in the region. However, frustrations persist due to limited job opportunities for qualified Bodos. The government has launched various initiatives for tribal development, emphasizing the importance of securing tribal land against non-tribal acquisition.

Despite these efforts, the tribal population continues to face challenges related to poverty and unemployment, with limited representation in professional fields. Political consciousness among Bodos emerged during British rule, leading to representation in local governance.