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...
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Part 5 - Folk Medicine (among the tribal communities of Assam)
The case of various herbs and medicinal plants to cure ailments is an age old tradition among the tribes and communities of Assam. Along with the herbal medicines, the magico religious medicines or treatment is also a process of curing people from different illness. Besides these Sonowal Kacharis have medicines which are very much related to their folk belief.
As we know the land of Assam is very rich in medicinal plants. In order to give the herbal medicines we don’t have to go far to collect the herbs. The plants and the herbs which are very easily found in our local areas are the means of curing diseases. In my study area the informant1 informed that the plant �Hukloti� which is very commonly found in almost all the houses is used for problem of women. �Mati kaduri� is another very good medicine for indigestion. It gives immediate relief to a person. It is also used as a vegetable is a means of primary health care the Sonowal Kacharis use bagh bon or gendhali bon for cuts and wound.
Neem leaves are used in tooth ache, drinking of water is advised in case of any problem of the stomach, if a dog bites then a mixture of tongloti leaf and gur is given to eat, for diabetes patients the flower �Nayantara� or Pura Pitika of Koldil, bhatdimarur guti bhapot diya is a very effective medicine. To cure loose motion leaves of guava or pengeri lata is used and for stomach ache the bud of kehraj is given.[1]
Some other medicines used in different diseases are:
(a) For curing piles, they use the plant of bonjaluk with some kolajamuk which is dipped overnight in water. The person suffering from this ailment drink the water kept overnight in empty stomach.
(b) Durun bon is also considered as a very useful medicinal plant. Specially in case of Sinusitis, the herb is grinded and drops of the juice is put in both the nostrils.
(c) Tulsi is used to cure cold cough, and fever. Moreover the juice of tulsi leaf is put in the ears to get relief of ear pair.
(d) An informant[2] informed that the flower of pomegranate is used as a good medicine to get immediate relief in nose bleeding. The flowers are crushed and drops are put in both the nostrils.
(e) The use of other herbs bhedailata, narasingha, and manimuni are very commonly used for curing different type of pain in the body. �Narasingha� leaves and roots are used to cure problems of indigestion.
(f) Outenga is used as a cure for various skin diseases.
(g) �Nephaphu� is used in the Sonowal Kachai society as a treatment for persons who have problem of high blood pressure.
(h) In case of bone fracture, a plant called �Harjura� is used. Paste of this is made and wrapped in the fractured part for many hours. In this way the treatment is carried on for a week.
(i) Rohdoi and Kordoi are two fruits which are very good medicine to treat jaundice or any urinary troubles
(j) The leaves and the stem of Sogunilata are used in problem of pain in the body.
Besides these medicinal plants there are many such which are used by the Sonowal Kacharis. Some medicines are given completely on the folk belied.
They believe that a particular root or a stem can be useful for some health problems. So the person who gives that himself keep that in his house and believe that the person suffering from the disease will be cured in that manner.[3]
Sonowal Kacharis immensely believe in the Supernatural forces and the influence of some evil spirits in their life. They hold the evil spirits responsible if a child suffers from any disease for a long period. So sacrifices, offerings are made to appease the evil spirits. Moreover the �bez� present in the village areas utter some magical Charm and incantations to cure a person from these evil influences �Pani-kota, Dul diya, Jara-phuka� are practiced by the �bez�, offering of hen, duck are done to satisfy the wrath of gods and goddesses. Different pujas are performed to get rid of the presence of evil spirits is the body of a person. Kolasaman puja, Jalkhai puja, Apeswari Sabah, Ga-dangoria puja are some of the practices among the Sonowal Kacharis. Several mantras are uttered by the Oza and the Bez to chase away the ghostly spirits. Regarding the use of mantras an observation has been made by Prafulla Dutta Goswami, ‘Without any logic when some words are bound together and they are uttered then the wishes are fulfilled. This is a mantra. The power of word is mantra. The Oza and other such believe that the utterance of words in a particular way leads to the fulfilment of one’s wishes.
Mantra can be divided into:
- Mantras used in religious occasion;
- To cure a person of ailments;
- To sub duo others;
- Mantras used in business;
- To ruin our enemies;
- For performing trickery.
The Sonowal Kacharis use these mantras an Bhoot jara mantra, mukh loga bhonga mantra, go bandhoni mantra etc. to treat various ailments..
Thus the study reveals that these are still prevalent in their society. People have faith and belief in these medicinal practices.
But regarding the proper measure and dose of the medicine, no systematic study has been there. So it has been found that the same herb or plant is used in different areas in different ways. They also believe that the medicines which are given should not be said to everybody. If they do so then the medicine would not be of any use. Thus, even in the twenty first century people have faith in the folk medicines.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
Informant: Sewali Sonowal
[3]:
Op. Cit. Saikia, 2013 p 109