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—both 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...
Part 3.2 - Description of Kati Bihu (seasonal festival)
[Full title: Customs of Seasonal Festivals (2) Kati Bihu]
Regarding the origin of the Kati Bihu, there is a popular tale among this tribe. The tale narrates that when Basumati was loaded with the creations then Basumati went to God Brahma to lessen the load of the creatures on the earth. Brahma asked Lord Vishnu to look into the matter. Lord Vishnu came to the mother Earth and when everybody came to know about the relationship of Vishnu and Tulsi, Tulsi plant was planted. Vishnu started meditating the whole night and prayed before the Tulsi plant. Even in the paddy field, Vishnu’s blessings was there and in order to ask Lakshmi Devi to get her blessings so an earthen lamp is lit before the tulsi plant on the day of Kati Bihu. Kati bihu is celebrated in the last day of the month of Ahin. They have the custom of lighting a Saki in the paddy field and also in the bhoral, guhali. The people belonging to the ‘Behari sect� sacrifice a hen and offer the meat to the deceased souls. The ‘Henduriyas� consider the month of �Kati� to be an auspicious month. They worship Lakshmi goddess by offering banana, pithaguri, tamul-paan and welcome the nine sisters of Lakshmi. They light a saki under the tulsi plant in this month. These customs are presently practiced by the Sonowal Kacharis.