Social Folk customs of the Sonowal and Thengal Kacharis
by Suravi Gohain Duwarah | 2022 | 50,902 words
This essay studies the customs and folk traditions of the Sonowal and Thengal Kacharis of Assam鈥攂oth of Mongoloid origin and part of the Tibeto-Burman linguistic family. These tribes possess rich customs, traditions, and oral histories. This study explores the similarities and differences between the Sonowal and Thengal Kachari tribes by emphasizin...
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Part 1.19 - Description of No-purukihiya Sokam
The tradition of observing this 鈥淣o-purukihiya Sokam鈥� ceremony is prevalent among most of the communities of Assam. The Sonowal Kacharis too, observe this in the death anniversary of a person and also when a new kitchen is to be used. They observe this in the presence of nine bhakats of nine clans. The bhakats are then fed with rice. After eating of the food when they return, a cheleng chador is spread and they are asked to step over that cloth. They believe that if that 鈥�chador鈥� will be used as a turban then it will be good for them. The bhakats are then offered bastra and bhujoni and bow down to have the blessings. The custom of observing this sokam is prevalent both among the Henduriyas and the Beharis. The Beharis use a red cock for the meal and the Henduriyas use duck.[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Informant: Labhonti Sonowal