Doc2 Assam Report

8/8/2019 Doc2 Assam Report

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NORTH

EASTERN

STATESASSAM

SUBMITTED BY:

CHARU KHANNA

DEEPIKA

DEEPALI MAHESHWARI


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INTRODUCTION

The north eastern region of India is home for rich cultures, nature-friendly

traditional technologies and everlasting social institutions. These have been shaped andnurtured by many tribal and non-tribal social formations. Among the indigenous

communities, there are more than 120 Scheduled Tribes, most of whom are traditional

inhabitants of the hill regions, which make up over 70 per cent of the total area.

Despite impressive social and economic changes, the indigenous communities,

tribal and others, still retain a great deal of the pure elements of their age-old life-

styles. Wisdom and knowledge embedded in their socio-cultural life is astonishing.

ASSAM - THE MEETING GROUND OF DIVERSE CULTURE

Land of Mystery and Magic', 'Land of Red River and Blue Hills', 'A Travelers Paradise' -

whatever you may call it, Assam is definitely a nature lover's ultimate destination .

Assam is a mixing pot where culture, heritage, tradition, lifestyle, faith and belief

of her Aryan & Non-Aryan, numerous tribes & sub-tribes, Mongoloids & Australoids,

drawn from various hives at different points of time have gone into form the Assameseculture - a fascinating and exotic recipe of delightful flavor.


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NAME OF ASSAM

The name Assam is of recent origin. It came into use after the conquest of Assam by

the Ahoms. Its derivation from a Sanskrit word 'ASOMA', is an entryway to the North

East India.

LANGUAGE

Since Assam is inhabited by people of diverse regions, many languages are spoken

and understood here.

Assamese orAkhomiya is the main language of the state.

English is used for administrative purposes though people in cities can speak

and understand this language.

Bengaliis also used for communication by some Hindus and Muslims.

The different tribes have their own languages that are commonly used in their

own communities.

Assamese consonants and their phonetic representation:-

ka kha ga gha Unga

ca cca ja jha Niya

ta tha da dha Na

ta tha da dha Na

pa pha ba bha Ma

ja ra la wa

xa xa xa ha

khya ya Ra Ra


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THE PEOPLE OF ASSAM

The people of Assam are in fact the result of fusion of people from different racial stocks who

migrated to Assam down the ages. The Assamese population can be divided into two broad

groups:

p The non-tribal people who constitute the majority

p The tribal.

1.The Australoids were the first to come to the land;

2.The Mongoloids came here in a series of migrations from the north, north-east and south-east;

3.The Caucasoids came from the west by the valley formed by the Ganges and the

Brahmaputra.

Today, the people of the State can be broadly identified and classified as the Non-Tribals or

Plains People. The people of the plains generally live in the plains and the Tribals mainly live in

the hills. Though, Assam has a valuable tribal population in theplains too.

Assam has got a large population of tribals; some of the tribalgroups are :-

y Boro-Kacharis

y Deori

y Misings

y Dimassas

y Karbis

y Lalungs

About 63% of the states workingforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. More

than 79% of the totalcropped area is utilized forfood crops production.

The people of Assam are known to be very friendly, charmingand open-hearted. The states

population is the result of different ethno-culturalgroups that migrated to the land undervarious

politico-economic systems in earlier times.


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FAIRS & FESTIVALS OF ASSAM

The superb blend of heritage extracted from numerous races has made Assam the home to the

most colorful festivals at once blazing, compelling and mesmerizing. Most of the festivals

celebrated in Assam have their root in the varied faith and belief of its people.

Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Swaraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kalipuja, Shivaratriare

some of the major festivals celebrated by the Hindus of Assam. Those ofIslamicfaith celebrate

Iddand Muharram. Similarly, Christians celebrate Christmas.

Besides the religious and national festivals observed throughout the Country, Assam has a

large number of colourful festivals of its own replete with fun, music and dances. Assams fairs

and festivals are as varied as its population which comes from different racial origins, both tribal

and non-tribal.

BIHU FESTIVAL, the agricultural festival of Assam is celebrated by all Assamese, irrespective

of caste, creed or religion. Bihu, Assam's very own festival come off at various stages of

cultivation of paddy, the principal crop of Assam. There are three Bihus that come off at various

stages of cultivation of paddy, the principal crop of Assam. They are Bahag (Baisakh) Bihu, Kati

(Kartika) Bihu and Magh (Magha) Bihu.

TEA FESTIVAL: In the month of November Assam Tourism organizes this festival combining

visits to tea gardens, Golf cruises, River cruises.

AMBUBASI MELA: Organized in the premises of Kamakhaya Devi temple in Guwahati, this

festival is celebrated in monsoon. This festival has affiliation to the tantrik rituals and remains

closed for three days with a legend which states that it is the menstrual time of goddess

Kamakhaya.

JONBEEL MELA: A fair where barter system still persists, this fair is most magnificent and

celebrated in winters. The tribal communities like Tiwa, Karbi, Khasi and Jaintia observe this fair

happily.


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DANCE AND MUSIC OF ASSAM

Each occasion is observed with enthusiastic fervor in Assam. Celebrated with much

vigor each form of dance and music is Assam is extraordinary. Some of the famous

dances of Assam are:-

BIHU

Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam. Bihu dances

are performed by young boys and girls during the Bihufestivities which represent youthful passion, reproductiveurge and joy. The dances are accompanied by musicalinstruments like dhol(dholak), penpa, gagana, banhi(flute)etc.

SATRIYA NRITYA

Satriya Nritya is the classic dance form of Assam whichrepresents the Satriya culture, the basis of the religious andcultural fabric of Assam.

BARPETA'S BHORTAL NRITYA

BhortalNritya ofBarpeta district is an extension ofSankari culture.


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TEA FOLK'S JHUMUR DANCE

The tea tribes have a synthesized form of dance called"JhumurNach", performed bygirls and boys together, or,sometimes by the girls alone, with precision of footworkwhile clasping tightly each other's waist.

BAGURUMBA

Bagurumba is the most attractive dance of the Bodocommunity. Girls dressed in colourful attires perform thisdance in tune ofBodo traditionalmusical instruments.

DEODHANI

The Deodhani dance is associated with the worship of thesnake goddess Manasa. A Deodhanigirl, in a inspiredstate, goes on dancing to the accompaniment ofKham(drum) andCiphung(flute) propitiatingmany a deitybeginningwith Shiva and endingwith Lakshmi.

Then there are other dances as Bagurumba dance of Bodos, Mishing's Ali Ai Ligang.

There are many other folk dance forms in Assam like Husari and Bihunas, Dhuliya and

Bhawariya, Deodhani, Zikirs, Mohauhau or Mahkheda and Apsara-Sabah.


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ART & CRAFT OF ASSAM

From time immemorial, the people of Assam have traditionally been craftsmen. The

magic of art of Assamese craftsmen is a common passion inspiring the deep senses

with its age old simplicity and sophistication.

Gamosa - meaning 'something to wipe the body is a white rectangular piece of

cloth with red border which is of great significance for the people of Assam and is

used for various occasions with high respect.

Cane and Bamboo - have remained inseparable parts of life in Assam. The

Jappi, the traditional sunshade continues to be the most prestigious of bamboo

items of the state.

Metal Crafts - Bell-metal and brass have been the most commonly used metals

for the Assamese artisan. The Xorai and bota have in use for centuries, to offer

betel-nut and paan to welcome distinguished guests. Gold, silver and copper too

form a part of traditional metal craft in Assam.

Handlooms - Assam is the home for several types of silks, the most prominent

and prestigious being muga, the golden silk exclusive only to this state. The

women of Assam weave fairy tales in their looms. One of the world's finest

artistic traditions finds expression in their exquisitely woven 'Eri', 'Muga' and 'Pat'

fabrics.

Toys - There are four categories: clay toys, pith, wooden and bamboo toys, and

cloth-mud toys.

Woodcraft - The various articles in a satra and naam-ghar(place of worship) are

stiff cut on wood, depicting the guru asana (pedestal of the lords), apart from

various kinds of birds and animals figuring in mythology. Modern-day Khanikar

produce articles of commercial values, including figures of one-horned rhino and


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replicas of the world-famous Kamakhya temple - two items heading the list of

demands of a visitor from outside.

Masks - Traditional masks have been widely used in folk theatres and bhaonas,

made with the materials ranging from terracotta to pith to metal, bamboo and

wood. Even in tribals too, varied colourful masks are used. The modern-day

drawing rooms use masks as decorative items and wall-hangings.

Jewellery - Assamese traditional jewellery include the doog-doogi, loka-paro,

bana, gaam-kharu, gal-pata, jon-biri, dhol-biri and keru. Jorhat of Assam is

popular in manufacturing exquisite Assamese jewelry.

Pottery - The Kumars and Hiras are two traditional potter communities of Assam.

While the Kumars use the wheel to produce their pots, the Hiras are probably the

only potters in the world who do not use the wheel at all. The most commonly-

used pottery products include earthern pots and pitchers, plates, incense-stickholders, and earthen lamps.

Dance, music, woodwork, pottery, sitalpatior the art of mat makinghave

survived through centuries with fewer changes since it remained an integral part

of the locals.


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FOOD OF ASSAM

Different from other adjoining states, the cuisine of Assam is an amalgamation of

authentic styles with a pinch of local variety and external influence.

A peculiar feature of Assam's culinary is the minimum use of oiland spice but extensive

use of herbs, fruits and vegetables. The preparations are not that lavish and use of

jaggery orsugar is main.

A classic Assam platter will have a starterKhar, a group of some dishes that are named

after the main ingredient and will end with tenga, a sour dish. The cuisine of Assam has

many vegetarianand non vegetarian delights for gourmets.

The staple foodof Assam is rice cooked in many ways- boiled, roasted, pulverized or

just soaked. Curry of boiling vegetables accompanies rice. For dessert, or for those with

a sweet tooth, there is a wide range in Pithas (cakes) made from rice powder is

essential for many dishes here.

The Assamese eat a huge variety ofrice-basedbreakfast cereals with milk, yoghurt or

thick creamakhoi(puffedrice), chira (chura), muri, komalchaul(a specially processed

rice which doesnt require cooking but just an hours soak in cold water) and hurum to

name but a few.

Taking non vegetarian dishes, fish of many types like the rou, the illish, and the chital is

the main dish in Assam. Birds like duck and pigeon; partridge and chicken, mutton are

fondly relished and particularly favorite are thepork dishes. The exotic side dishes in

Assam are made of steamed or roasted vegetables. Eri polu (pupa of Eri silkworm and

fermented bamboo shoot) is very famous and savored dish in Assam.


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THE EXCLUSIVE ASSAM TEA

The quality of Assam tea is excellent. Assam has a first flush and a second flush tea.The first flush has a rich and refreshing aroma; the second flush produces the famous

"tippy teas." It is this feature of the teas of the second flush which makes them more

preferred. (Tippy refers to black tea with gold tips or what appears to be golden-

coloured leaf). The amount of tip varies, depending upon where in Assam the tea estate

from which the tea comes is located. Additionally, not all tea estates have the ability or

capacity to generate "tippy teas." The golden tip present in Assam tea, tends to lessen

the bitter characteristic of the tea and make it sweet and smooth.


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CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

This joint family system appears to be traditional among both the tribal and non-tribal

village communities of Assam; it is based on blood relationships.

In the case of inheritance, the Dayabhaga system was followed in older days, as at

present. As long as the father lives, the sons cannot claim any share in the property. So

the father is the centre of the family and he rules supreme.

There are a few tribal societies which follow the matriarchal system. The Khasi is one

among them. They look upon the mother as the centre of the clan. The mother's

property goes to her daughters. When there is no daughter, the property goes to the

youngest daughter of the mother's sister. The Garos also follow a similar system in the

Garo Hills. Among the Dimasa-Kacharis the prevalent custom is that the sons

inherit their father's properties and the girls inherit their mothers properties. When there

are no children of their own their relatives inherit the properties. Though Assamese

women are given an honored position, no other community in Assam follows the

matrilineal inheritance system. The common paternal system governs general

Assamese society.

Manu's Prajapati mode is the usual rule for marriages in Assam. The proposal for the

girls hand comes from the boys family and then follows the other formalities. In Assam,

Kinship is treated with great importance. Sons and daughters of uncles and aunts are all

brothers and sisters, like those of one's own parents.

Marriage is generally outside of the kin-group and the local group. It is a joint family in

which the brides are all brought from outside and the girls are all given away.

Customs like levirate and sororate, by which a widow lives with the younger brother of

her husband and a man marries the younger sister of his wife, show that marriage is

very much a relationship between families rather than between individuals.


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CROSS CULTURE ANALYSIS

Cross-cultural communication will be outlined and demonstrated by examples of ideas,

attitudes, and behaviors involving four variables:

Time and Space

Fate and Personal Responsibility

Face and Face-Saving

Nonverbal Communication

Time and Space

The people of Assam feels like the life has unlimited continuity. As per their thoughts the

birth and death are not absolute ends since the universe continues after the death also.

Some of them believe in the rebirth of the spirit in another form. If a Lalung baby cries

too much, they suppose that some dead member of the family must have been reborn.

Fate and Personal Responsibility

People in Assam are more dependent and family oriented. They live in joint family and

depend on others in taking the important decisions of their life.

Community Orientation

People of Assam are more humble and community driven. They stay and enjoy life in

the groups or with the community they belong to.

Nonverbal Communication

Non verbal cues are of great importance here, like respecting by touching the feet of the

elder people, listening to elders silently, etc.


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Masculinity:-

As long as the father lives, the sons cannot claim any share in the property. So the

father is the centre of the family and he rules supreme.

There are a few tribal societies which follow the matriarchal system. The Khasi is one among

them. They look upon the mother as the centre of the clan. The mother's property goes to her

daughters.

Thus Assam gives importance to both men and women.

Long term orientation:-

Belief in life after death situation.

Individualism:-

People of Assam are more humble and community driven. They like being part and

parcel of their family and society at large.

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